Infants and Toddlers

There are over 6 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

• Basic Facts About Low-income Children, 2010
  Children Under Age 3
  Fact Sheet, February 2012
• Coaching and Quality Assistance in Quality Rating Improvement Systems
  Approaches Used by TA Providers to Improve Quality in Early Care and Education Programs and Home-based Settings
  Report, January 2012
• Basic Facts About Low-income Children, 2009
  Children Under Age 3
  Fact Sheet, October 2010
• Features of Professional Development and On-site Assistance in Child Care Quality Rating Improvement Systems
  A Survey of State-wide Systems
  Report, October 2010
• Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Young Children in the Child Welfare System
  What Every Policymaker Should Know
  Report, September 2010