
The Foundations of Lifelong Health
What Does Your Child Need to Thrive?
A range of scientific evidence tell us the early years, particularly from birth to five years, are the most active period to establish healthy brain development and most important for lifelong mental health and well-being. The quality of a child’s earliest environments and the availability of appropriate experiences at the right stages of development are crucial to experience, regulate, and express emotions and form close and secure interpersonal relationships.
Disruptions in early childhood development can derail this development process, including social and emotional development, causing a lifetime of implications.
What are the building blocks that support healthy child development and their future?

An amazing transformation takes place during the first 5 years of life. With so much to learn before they start school, this is a memorable time and a life changing period of essential development.


Responsiveness to a young child’s signals and needs provides an environment rich in serve and return experiences.
KEY RESPONSIVE
RELATIONSHIPS

Chaotic, stressful, and threatening situations can derail any parent. Children need a sense of safety and security at home.
KEY TO PARENTING
PARENTS MENTAL HEALTH
& CORE CAPABILITIES

Fostering strong nurturing relationships can shield children from the impact of negative experiences and can create a protective barrier.

High-quality relationships are fundamental to children’s resilience and are the principle components children and adults need to build their abilities to cope and overcome adversity.
LEARNING PROGRAMS
AND CHILDCARE
5 Steps to Choosing Child Care
​Child Care Quality Ratings
Choosing Safe & Healthy Care
Find Local Child Care Resources
Head Start
AGES & STAGES
TRACKER
Follow your child's Ages and Stages to help you learn more about what to expect from your child’s development, positive parenting......
Take your completed progress form to every well-child visit.
NUTRITION
& HEALTH
HEALTH HABITS BEGIN AT BIRTH
Expansive Infant Toddler Nutrition Guide
Key points for women who are or may become pregnant, breastfeeding mothers, and young children.​​