Early Brain Development | ZERO TO THREE
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Early Brain Development | ZERO TO THREE
Early Brain Development | ZERO TO THREE: nab=1 "Donate to ZERO TO THREE") [Go to ZERO TO THREE Home\\; org/speakers-bureau-landing-page/) - [Why 0-3; org/why-0-3/) - [Issue Areas](https://www. Based on North America guidelines for 24-36 Month.
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10/12/2025
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Early Brain Development
In the first few years of life, more than 1 million new neural connections are formed every second.
Explore our resources about key stages of early brain development.
From birth to age three, the brain experiences rapid, transformative growth that shapes lifelong learning, behavior, and mental health.
Understanding the phases of brain development can help caregivers make a lasting impact during these critical years.
Faq on early brain development
Jump To:
- ZERO TO THREE's Baby Brain Map
- Research and early brain science
- Executive functioning in the developing brain
- Supporting early brain development through everyday moments
- Want to learn more about early brain development?
The neuroplasticity of early childhood makes young children incredibly vulnerable, but also incredibly resilient and responsive to positive intervention.
Christina Fiorvanti, PhD, HealthySteps Specialist and Psychologist at NYP Queens
ZERO TO THREE's Baby Brain Map
Our “Baby Brain Map” is designed to educate parents, caregivers, and early childhood professionals about the critical stages of early brain development in young children from birth to three years old.
This tool provides an engaging, user-friendly way to explore early brain science during these formative years, emphasizing the impact of experiences, relationships, and environmental factors on neural development.
Research and early brain science
Explore data and research on the stages of early brain development and early brain science.
Resource
What are the most important influences on brain development before birth?
During the early stages of prenatal development, the foundation is laid for everything from movement and breathing to memory and emotional connection.
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What are the most important influences on brain development before birth?
Good Question
How do infants translate sounds to language?
The journey from sounds to language is an intricate process that begins in infancy. Learn about the ways infants begin to translate sounds to language.
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How do infants translate sounds to language?
Distillation
Maternal Mental Health and Prenatal Brain Development: A Proven Link
Various factors can contribute to poor maternal mental health and research shows that impacts babies even before they are born.
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Maternal Mental Health and Prenatal Brain Development: A Proven Link
Distillation
Understanding Brain Development in Babies and Toddlers
The first three years of life are a critical period in development. Read more about understanding brain development in babies and toddlers.
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Understanding Brain Development in Babies and Toddlers
Distillation
What does trauma do to a baby’s brain?
Trauma can greatly impact the developing and vulnerable minds of young children aged 0-3. However, the impact of trauma can vary depending on some key factors.
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What does trauma do to a baby’s brain?
Frequently Asked Questions About Brain Development
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Frequently Asked Questions About Brain Development
Distillation
22 Statistics You Need to Know About Childhood Brain Development
The first three years of a child’s life are the most pivotal, and also the most vulnerable when it comes to childhood brain development.
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22 Statistics You Need to Know About Childhood Brain Development
Early Development
Our host of evidence-based resources features the latest scientific research on early childhood development. These resources are valuable for helping parents, caregivers and professionals understand their roles in a child's development and know when early intervention services are needed.
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Why 0-3?
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Virtual Event
IECMH Series: Neuro-relational Development
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IECMH Series: Neuro-relational Development
Brain Wonders: Nurturing Healthy Brain Development From Birth
Learn what you can do in everyday moments to help your baby develop healthy brain connections.
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Brain Wonders: Nurturing Healthy Brain Development From Birth
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Executive functioning in the developing brain
Making friends. Showing anger in a healthy way. Figuring out conflicts peacefully. Learn what you can do to support positive interactions and executive functioning in children from birth to age 3. Check out our brain development stages by age resources below:
24-36 Months: Social-Emotional Development
As two-year-olds, children really begin to play interactively with their peers. Learn more about toddler social-emotional development.
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24-36 Months: Social-Emotional Development
12-24 Months: Social-Emotional Development
Between 12-24 months, social-emotional development progresses. Toddlers develop self-awareness and a sense of being independent from others.
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12-24 Months: Social-Emotional Development
Birth to 12 Months: Social-Emotional Development
Starting from birth, babies are learning who they are by how they are treated. Learn more about babies' social and emotional development.
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Birth to 12 Months: Social-Emotional Development
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Supporting early brain development through everyday moments
These resources provide helpful strategies for supporting young children’s cognitive development milestones and future learning through early experiences and everyday moments.
Supporting Brain Development in the First Three Years
Learn how the brains of infants and toddlers grow and how you can support their brain development through everyday interactions.
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Supporting Brain Development in the First Three Years
Distillation
Buzzwords Explained: Play-Based Learning
Playful exploration is a natural way of learning. Explore how caregivers and professionals can encourage and promote play-based learning.
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Buzzwords Explained: Play-Based Learning
The Daddy Factor: How Fathers Support Development
Learn about fatherhood and the unique and powerful role fathers play in the development of their children.
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The Daddy Factor: How Fathers Support Development
Before Birth: Prenatal Development for Baby, Mom and Dad
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Before Birth: Prenatal Development for Baby, Mom and Dad
Driven to Discover: How Thinking Skills Develop Through Everyday Play and Exploration
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Driven to Discover: How Thinking Skills Develop Through Everyday Play and Exploration
Development From 24 to 36 Months Old: New Skills Develop Through Play, Routines, and Relationships
Learn how to encourage your child's increasing independence and endless imagination through play, routine, and relationships.
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Development From 24 to 36 Months Old: New Skills Develop Through Play, Routines, and Relationships
From Cries to Conversations: The Development of Communication Skills from Birth to 3
Watch how parents and caregivers can support the development of communication skills from birth to 3 years.
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From Cries to Conversations: The Development of Communication Skills from Birth to 3
Busy Bodies: How the Development of Physical Skills Supports Learning
Watch how the development of a baby's physical skills supports early learning.
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Busy Bodies: How the Development of Physical Skills Supports Learning
Development From 12 to 24 Months Old: Strong, Positive Connections and Interactions Fuel Learning
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Development From 12 to 24 Months Old: Strong, Positive Connections and Interactions Fuel Learning
Development From Birth to 12 Months Old: Forming a Trusting Bond to Nurture Learning
Watch how to nurture your baby from birth to 12 months, teaching them how to feel safe and secure in the world while encouraging developmentally appropriate growth.
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Development From Birth to 12 Months Old: Forming a Trusting Bond to Nurture Learning
Power of Play: Building Skills and Having Fun
Learn how to nurture your baby's development through the power of play.
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Power of Play: Building Skills and Having Fun
Brain Wonders: Nurturing Healthy Brain Development From Birth
Learn what you can do in everyday moments to help your baby develop healthy brain connections.
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Brain Wonders: Nurturing Healthy Brain Development From Birth
Literacy Skills: The Roots of Reading Start at Birth
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Literacy Skills: The Roots of Reading Start at Birth
From Feelings to Friendships: Nurturing Healthy Social-Emotional Development in the Early Years
Learn how to support your child's relationship-building skills.
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From Feelings to Friendships: Nurturing Healthy Social-Emotional Development in the Early Years
Tantrums, Defiance, Aggression – Oh My!
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Tantrums, Defiance, Aggression – Oh My!
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Want to learn more about early brain development?
We have trainings for that.
Brain Facts with Katrina: Vol 1 - YouTube
ZERO TO THREE
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Brain Facts with Katrina: Vol 1
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The Growing Brain: From Birth to 5 Years Old curriculum, let by Katrina Macasaet, helps early childhood professionals explore the science of brain development.
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References
- Infant and young child feeding(WHO)1/6/2026
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