Infants and Toddlers

There are over 5 million infants and toddlers in low-income families, half of them living in poverty. Many of these families face multiple demographic and familial risks.

Scientists who study brain development are finding that the earliest relationships and experiences that a baby has help set the stage for life-long emotional and other competencies. Yet investments in high-quality infant and toddler care, including supports to informal care providers, lag, and state policies to support parents vary.

Communities are developing programs to meet the needs of parents with infants and toddlers, with some programs targeting higher-risk babies, but sustaining the costs of these programs is challenging.

Publications

• Supporting Parents of Young Children in the Child Welfare System
  Report, February 2010
• Indicators for Social-emotional Development in Early Childhood
  A Guide for Local Stakeholders
  Report, November 2009
• Basic Facts About Low-income Children
  Children Under Age 3
  Fact Sheet, November 2009
• Testimony on the State of State Early Childhood Policies
  Testimony, June 2009
• National Early Childhood Policy Profile
  Fact Sheet, June 2007