Join NCIT and the early childhood community during the month of May in raising the alarm for needed investments and solutions for the key issues impacting infants and toddlers! If your organization has an event, workshop, or report release during the month of may ensure that it is added to our calendar for May All Babies Thrive Activities. You can submit your event details and any supplemental materials here for inclusion during the months activities.
Download The ICYMI Report
The NCIT takes the month of May to celebrate our infants and toddlers with National Baby Day and raising the alarm for needed investments and solutions for the key issues impacting infants and toddlers. Share some of the happenings throughout the month with the toolkit listed below:
April 30: Strolling Thunder, the Think Babies annual day of action in Washington, DC, is on April 30, 2024!
ZERO TO THREE is bringing a baby and their family from all 50 states and DC to Capitol Hill to tell their Members of Congress to Think Babies. Families will share their stories with policymakers about their experiences with issues such as child care, paid leave, the Child Tax Credit, infant and early childhood mental health, Early Head Start, and child welfare.
We must remind Congress why it is imperative to prioritize investments in policies that support good health, strong families, and positive early learning experiences – because when babies succeed, we all succeed.
Help us amplify the message that Congress must build a brighter future for our country’s 11 million babies and support the policies they need to thrive!
Please use the new and updated PN-3 Advocacy Messaging Toolkit for images and to pull sample posts for social media to share about the NCIT, who we are, what we do and why it matters. The PN-3 Advocacy Toolkit – NCIT – National Collaborative for Infants & Toddlers
We encourage everyone to use the images in the toolkit today to launch the #May4Babies month of action! Here is some sample language to work from:
Today marks the start of the #May4Babies Month of Action!
Join us all this month in raising the alarm for needed investments and solutions for the key issues impacting infants and toddlers like nutrition, child care, mental health. #NCIT #PN3
Happy May All Babies Thrive Month! No more maybes for our babies. Join NCIT and the early childhood community during the month of May in raising the alarm for needed investments and solutions for the key issues impacting infants and toddlers!
How can you participate?
Important Days:
May 1st: May all Babies Thrive Month Kickoff
May 1: Worthy Wage Day
May 2: National Baby Day – #NationalBabyDay
May 2: NCIT Relaunch of PN3 Appropriations Toolkit
May 5: International Day of the Midwife
May 9: National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day
May 10: Provider Appreciation Day
May 13: Day Without Child Care
May 15: NCIT Release of PN3 Guidance for Engaging Candidates
Sample Social Media Posts:
Sample Facebook & LinkedIn Post 1:
May is here, and so is the celebration of “May All Babies Thrive Month”!
Join us at the National Collaborative for Infants and Toddlers as we shine a spotlight on the well-being of our youngest citizens throughout May. Every baby deserves the best start in life, and together, we can make it happen!
Stay tuned for inspiring stories, helpful resources, and exciting events dedicated to promoting the health and development of infants and toddlers. Let’s come together to ensure that every baby thrives!
#MayAllBabiesThrive #InfantAndToddlerWellness #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment #NationalCollaborativeIT
Sample Facebook and LinkedIn Post 2:
Join us in celebrating “May All Babies Thrive Month” with the National Collaborative for Infants and Toddlers! Throughout May, we’re shining a spotlight on initiatives that support the well-being of our youngest citizens. Together, let’s advocate for policies that ensure every baby has the opportunity to thrive. Stay tuned for inspiring stories, events, and resources to support our mission. #MayAllBabiesThrive #InfantWellBeing #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment
Sample X (Twitter) Post:
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Held annually on May 1 since 1992, Worthy Wage Day was created to draw attention and raise awareness of the low wages earned by early childhood and the impact of chronic public underfunding of early childhood education has on young children as well as retaining educators.
Hashtag: #WorthyWageDay
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May is the start of Mental Health Awareness Month! We encourage NCIT partners to share PN-3 mental health content throughout the month via #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth. Here are partner content pieces that you might consider sharing:
The NCIT is excited to host this webinar for advocates.
The Importance of SNAP for Children Prenatal-to-Three. In this webinar, we’ll hear why SNAP is such an important PN-3 program and learn lessons from a state campaign that expanded access to SNAP.
Tuesday, May 2, is Baby Day! Join ZERO TO THREE for a digital day of action as we urge Congress to Think Babies by investing in the programs and policies babies need to thrive, such as quality, affordable child care; an enhanced Child Tax Credit; paid family and medical leave for all; and increased investments in infant and early childhood mental health services, Early Head Start, and the child welfare system.
Use this toolkit to share the #NationalBabyDay message with your networks and encourage them to tell Congress to fight for their littlest constituents.
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Tell Congress to invest in the policies and programs babies need to thrive!
It’s #NationalBabyDay! Today and every day, we’re pushing for what infants and toddlers need. Congress, we need more than just baby steps on the policies your youngest, cutest constituents need to thrive! #ThinkBabies #May4Babies
On #NationalBabyDay, here is our wish list for Congress to #ThinkBabies!
#PaidLeaveforAll
High-quality, affordable #childcare
Enhanced #ChildTaxCredit
Investments in #EarlyHeadStart, #MentalHealth services, and the #ChildWelfare system
Babies’ early relationships form the foundation for all learning and development that follows. We must support parents, families, and early childhood professionals during this critical period. #NationalBabyDay #ThinkBabies #May4Babies
Poverty affects babies’ healthy development and disproportionately impacts families of color. We need to address structural racism and discriminatory policies to ensure all families have equal opportunities to thrive. #NationalBabyDay #ThinkBabies #May4Babies
There are 11.4 Million infants and toddlers in the U.S. and they need us to change more than just diapers. What better way to celebrate #NationalBabyDay than to prioritize their needs #paidleave #mentalhealth #childcare #EarlyHeadStart #economicsecurity #ThinkBabies
Babies’ brains develop faster from birth to age 3 than at any other time of life. On #NationalBabyDay, urge Congress to #ThinkBabiesandAct by investing in policies that support their ability to learn, grow, and thrive. #May4Babies
#ChildCare #CareCantWait
Access to affordable, high-quality child care is critical for families and supports babies’ development. On #NationalBabyDay, tell Congress to invest in a child care system that meets the diverse needs of families with infants and toddlers. #ThinkBabiesandAct [tweet congress link]
The future begins with babies! When families have access to high-quality #childcare, it lays the foundation for a strong start. Let’s prioritize the quality care babies need for healthy development. #ThinkBabies #NationalBabyDay
Early childhood professionals play a critical role in the healthy development of babies in their care. Policymakers must #ThinkBabiesandAct to offer them the support, resources, and compensation they need to provide high-quality care and support their own families. #NationalBabyDay #CareCantWait
Infant-toddler care costs more than college tuition in 35 states and DC. Urge your Members of Congress to #ThinkBabiesandAct so that families can afford the high-quality care their babies deserve. #CareCantWait #NationalBabyDay [tweet congress link]
#EconomicSecurity #ChildTaxCredit #CTC
Poverty gets under a baby’s skin, undermining brain development and physical health. . We must ensure #economicsecurity for families to create an environment in which babies can thrive. #NationalBabyDay #ThinkBabies
We can ensure that families have the resources to provide safe housing, nutritious foods, clothing & diapers, & medical care for their babies and toddlers. Economic stability means so much during this critical time of rapid growth and development. #NationalBabyDay #ThinkBabies
The expansion of the federal #ChildTaxCredit will help families meet basic needs and reduce material hardship. Urge the Senate to expand the CTC to support families with infants & toddlers. #NationalBabyDay #ThinkBabiesandAct [tweet congress link]
Poverty among American Indian/Alaska Native and Black infants and toddlers is nearly twice the national average, affecting more than 1 in 3 babies. It’s time to address structural racism and invest in policies that ensure #economicsecurity for all families. #NationalBabyDay #ThinkBabies
#PaidLeave #PaidLeaveforAll #CareCantWait
Caring, consistent relationships help establish a baby’s ability to learn & form positive relationships. Urge Congress to establish a comprehensive national paid family and medical leave program so families can get the time they need with their babies during this critical period. #NationalBabyDay #ThinkBabiesandAct #PaidLeaveforAll [tweet congress link]
For #NationalBabyDay, 3 things babies (Heart) about #paidleave:
The people they know best are there to care for them.
It’s good for their health & (down arrow) infant mortality!
Their families can focus on caring for them wo worrying about $$$.
#ThinkBabiesandAct #PaidLeaveforAll
More than 85% of working people in the U.S. do not have #paidleave through their employers, meaning parents must make impossible choices between caring for their babies and losing their jobs. Let’s ensure #paidleave for all working people. #NationalBabyDay #ThinkBabies #PaidLeaveforAll
The time after birth or adoption is an essential time of development, growth & learning for babies. We need a national paid family and medical leave policy that is available for all working people and offers a meaningful length of leave. We need #PaidLeaveforAll now. #NationalBabyDay #ThinkBabies
Practices like #PaidLeave are associated with lower infant mortality and reduced occurrence and length of childhood illnesses. It’s time to ensure all families have access to paid family and medical leave. #NationalBabyDay #ThinkBabies
#EarlyHeadStart
Only 11% of eligible children get #EarlyHeadStart services? But we know it works! Congress, that doesn’t make sense. #ThinkBabiesandAct and invest. #NationalBabyDay
EarlyHeadStart creates opportunities for both parents and children, helping families improve their economic security and ensure babies are on a strong path to lifelong learning. Let’s invest in this evidence-based program. #NationalBabyDay #ThinkBabies
Let’s invest in #EarlyHeadStart to support the healthy development of all eligible babies, toddlers, and pregnant people.#NationalBabyDay #ThinkBabies
Access to high-quality early childhood education programs is essential for ensuring all children, regardless of income, have the same opportunities to succeed. Let’s advocate for increased investment in programs like #EarlyHeadStart. #NationalBabyDay #ThinkBabies
#EarlyHeadStart is the only federal program focused on early learning experiences of babies living in families with incomes below the poverty line, but it only reaches 11% of eligible babies. Urge Congress to #ThinkBabiesandAct and expand access to this essential program: [tweet congress link] #NationalBabyDay
#MentalHealth #IECMH
A baby’s social and emotional development is the heart of all future learning and growth. This #NationalBabyDay, raise your voice for infant and early childhood #mentalhealth. #ThinkBabiesandAct #IECMH
Infant and early childhood #mentalhealth is critical for young children’s development. Tell your policymakers to invest in prevention and treatment services to support babies’ social and emotional well-being. #NationalBabyDay #ThinkBabiesandAct #IECMH [tweet congress link]
#mentalhealth and social and emotional development starts at the beginning, well before babies even utter their first words Congress, investing in prevention and treatment is key from the start. #NationalBabyDay #ThinkBabies #IECMH
Don’t forget about the babies! The national conversation around #mentalhealth is growing but too often, infants’ and toddlers’ needs are left out. Let’s invest in a national structure to provide foundational mental health services to our youngest children. #NationalBabyDay #ThinkBabies #IECMH
Infant and early childhood #mentalhealth is how babies experience, express and regulate emotions; form secure positive relationships; and expand their environment and capacity to learn. We must prioritize social and emotional development from the start. #NationalBabyDay #ThinkBabies #IECMH
#ChildWelfare, #FamilySupport
We need to transform #childwelfare policy and prioritize the positive, healthy development of babies and toddlers. This means promoting prevention, enhancing court oversight, and embedding early childhood development principles in child welfare systems. #ThinkBabies #NationalBabyDay
This #NationalBabyDay, let’s take action to strengthen families to reduce the nearly 200k babies who experience maltreatment every year. They’re counting on us to #ThinkBabiesandAct and invest in the #childwelfare system: [tweet congress link]
The #childwelfare system must address the alarming disparity in how families of color are overrepresented. It’s time to work together to build strong and equitable support networks for all families. #ThinkBabies #NationalBabyDay
The lack of stability for babies in foster care can disrupt their emotional health and cognitive development. It’s time to invest in policies that remove systemic obstacles for families to strengthen early child/parent relationships. #ThinkBabies #NationalBabyDay #FamilySupport
Post 1:
Join the Jedi council of early development and advocate for the younglings! Visit www.ncit.org and may the force be with you. #MayThe4th
Link to image: https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.momsrising.org/images/MayBabiesThirve1.png
Post 2:
The Mandalorian taught us the significance of The Child, but we’re here to educate you on the importance of EVERY child. Visit our website to learn more.
This is the way: https://ncit.org/
#MayThe4th
Post 3:
We all have a part to play in helping make sure that every child has a chance to thrive from the start – visit www.ncit.org to see how.
Remember the words of Master Yoda: “Try not. Do or do not. There is no try.”
#MayThe4th:
Link to image: https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.momsrising.org/images/MayBabiesThrive3.png
Be sure to tag @NCITorg
Be sure to visit the PN-3 XChange on May 5 as we pay tribute to midwives on International Day of the Midwife by lifting up an archival film documenting the critical role granny midwives served through the mid-20th Century.
Have research data on midwives or your own midwife story you love? Share them with the hashtags #May4Babies, #NCIT, or #PN3, as part of our month of action!
Webinar: “Latino Infant Initiative: Shaping the Future in CA & TX” – Join Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors and UnidosUS for an enlightening two-part webinar series designed to delve into the specific challenges and opportunities facing Latino families in California and Texas. During the sessions, we will release state-specific data from the National Latino Family Survey and explore the Latino Infant Initiative Policy Agenda in greater detail. Spanish interpretation available.
California Session
Texas Session
May 9th is National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day! We encourage NCIT partners to share PN-3 mental health content on this day. Here are partner content sources that you might consider sharing:
Infant and early childhood #mentalhealth starts at the very beginning –before babies even utter their first words. We must prioritize prevention and treatment to ensure the healthy social and emotional development of infants and toddlers from the start.
We must not leave young children behind when we talk about #mentalhealth! Nurturing relationships and positive early learning experiences lay the foundation for a baby’s healthy social and emotional development. When you think #mentalhealth, don’t forget to #thinkbabies!
A continuum of promotion, prevention, and treatment for young children can prevent lifelong #mentalhealth challenges. Healthy social and emotional development is key to a strong start for all young children.
Healthy relationships, love, and comfort from parents and caregivers help babies form more brain connections. We must invest in social and emotional development and provide robust #mentalhealth services for all.
#IECMH is how young children:
✅ Form close, secure interpersonal relationships;
✅ Explore and learn their environment; and
✅ Experience, express and regulate emotions.
Let’s make sure children have the resources and #mentalhealth services they need to thrive!
The NCIT is excited to host this webinar for advocates.
Influencing the Inside Game Policy Advocacy on State Budgets & Appropriations. This webinar ground advocates in the basics of understanding the budget and appropriations process and equip them with the necessary information to navigate budget advocacy strategically and successfully. Speakers will include budget experts and advocates with experience in lobbying state agencies and state legislatures.
Join us to celebrate Latina moms in Vista Hermosa and learn how we can take action for our families.
Provider Appreciation Day, celebrated on the Friday before Mother’s Day, was started in 1996 by a group of volunteers in New Jersey who saw the need to recognize the tireless efforts of providers who care for children of working parents. Support for this event has grown each year, and recognition presently includes:
Child Care Aware of America convenes Provider Appreciation Day ® each year to amplify our nation’s collective gratitude for those who support our youngest children’s social, emotional, and physical care.
Request An Official PAD Proclamation from your Elected Officials: Use the sample text below to encourage your networks to submit an official proclamation request to their elected officials:
Use our simple form to request an official proclamation from your elected officials to recognize May 10, 2024, as Provider Appreciation Day (PAD)! By requesting a proclamation, you encourage your elected officials to recognize PAD and the tireless support child care providers give our children and communities.
Celebrate Provider Appreciation Day 2024 by Saying #ThankYouChildCare
We invite you to show your gratitude for the child care workforce by recording a video as part of the #ThankYouChildCare campaign.
Some tips for recording a great video:
Take things to the next level by using our partner toolkit here, and accessing video promotion resources here.
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Home-based child care is the most common child care arrangement for babies. This care type supports their development and sets them up for futures where they thrive. In celebration of National Baby Day and in support of the May All Babies Thrive campaign, Home Grown has created this resource to share how home-based child care helps babies thrive.
Link to resource: Home-based Child Care Helps Babies Thrive | Home Grown Childcare
On the May 13th #DayWithoutChildCare, Child care providers, parents, and supporters are walking out of our places of work to illustrate how our economy relies on child care. We are calling on our elected leaders to act quickly to solve America’s child care crisis. At the federal level, the Democrats’ reconciliation package offers us a once in a generation opportunity to acknowledge the incredible value that caregiving and caregivers add to our economy and to help families struggling with their rising child care costs.
**If you have any questions, please contact Jaya Chatterjee (jchatterjee@communitychange.org) and Meredith Loomis Quinlan (mquinlan@communitychange.org) at Community Change.
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https://unc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JVRemW4WSMmnOHfoWFAOPQ#/registration
The Equity Research Action Coalition at FPG Child Development Institute plans to hold an interactive working meeting on May 16, 2024, at 12:00PM EST as a follow up to our webinar in the fall. We would like to dive deeper into how you can use these tools in your work, whether that be as a practitioner, a researcher, or a policymaker. We will discuss the Black Child National Agenda Data Dashboard and Strategic Plan Template in more detail to engage participants.
Registration link: https://elearn.zerotothree.org/p/ECDHS-Water-of-Systems-Change#tab-product_tab_overview
Join the Early Childhood Developmental Health Systems (ECDHS): Evidence to Impact Center on Thursday, May 16, 4-5:30 PM EDT for the webinar “Systems Change in Early Childhood Using the Water of Systems Change Framework.” Presenters Melissa Passarelli, MA, associate director of implementation and system-building at Help Me Grow National Center, and Jennifer Splansky Juster, MBA, executive director at Collective Impact Forum, will introduce The Water of Systems Change framework and how it can be applied to early childhood systems-building efforts. They will explore six interdependent conditions that span structural change, relational change, and transformative change. This webinar will help early childhood and health systems leaders – such as Title V; Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs; Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems; Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting; Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five; and similar program leaders – identify potential strategies for their work. Register today: https://elearn.zerotothree.org/p/ECDHS-Water-of-Systems-Change#tab-product_tab_overview Visit earlychildhoodimpact.org to learn more about the ECDHS: Evidence to Impact Center, a HRSA-funded program supporting states and communities to build equitable and family-centered early childhood systems.
This webinar will help early childhood and health systems leaders – including Title V; Association of Maternal and Childhood Health Programs; Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems; Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting; Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five; and similar program leaders – identify potential strategies for their work. After participating in the webinar, attendees will be able to:
CEU credits will be available to those who attend the live webinar.
Help us to celebrate by wishing “Happy Birthday Head Start!” on social media. You can use this toolkit to help your social media posts: https://socialpresskit.com/natlheadstart
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In this webinar, Abriendo Puertas will explore the key components of Baby Bonds and the development of a Baby Bond pilot for New Mexico, led by local implementation partner Partnership for Community Action, to garner grassroots community support, to create Baby Bond accounts for every child born in New Mexico, seeded with a $3000 investment. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about a transformative policy that has the potential to pave the way for financial security and equity for generations to come. Spanish interpretation is available.
https://ap-od-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/7417158882203/WN_nIBv3OD-QymswrToLDvDTA
Join Abriendo Puertas for this interactive and enlightening presentation! Discover the importance of emotional intelligence and how to develop the skills necessary to raise emotionally healthy children. We will reflect on how we express our emotions at home and their impact on our lives and those of our children. We will also talk about practical advice and treatment available to strengthen our emotional intelligence and family bonds. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn and grow together as a community. Presented in Spanish with English Interpretación.
https://ap-od-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/1917158884219/WN_muTcSE9IRhi3z-5JNcHzzg
Register for conference here: bit.ly/MMHYS2024
See conference schedule and details here.
The NCIT is excited to host this webinar for advocates.
Infant-Toddler Oral Disease Prevention Webinar. Join us as we hear from Dr. Sue Keller on How to Raise a Cavity-Free Kid: Infant-Toddler Oral Disease Prevention.
The NCIT is excited to host this webinar for advocates.
Power Prism®: Grassroots Training. Grassroots advocates are those who have a connection to elected officials because they are constituents – and understanding why grassroots advocates are connected to your organization or issue will help you engage them.
The AAP has created a video to educate families who may have recently lost health coverage as a result of the ongoing Medicaid unwinding, which has already forced millions of children off their coverage. “Medicaid is health insurance designed to meet kids’ unique needs. But recent changes mean some kids have needlessly lost Medicaid coverage. It’s not too late to obtain coverage for your child. This video from the American Academy of Pediatrics explains how.” English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuH2F9b6xfo // Spanish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogzOMqATpAk
The NCIT is excited to host this webinar for advocates.
NCIT Family and Community Engagement Peer Group. Special Opportunity: the May meeting of the NCIT Family and Community Engagement Peer Group is open to everyone! Please join us as we learn more about the Latino Infant Initiative. The Latino Infant Initiative is a collaboration between UnidosUS and Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors. The overarching goal of the Latino Infant Initiative policy agenda is to influence federal and state policies to ensure that all Latino infants, toddlers, and their families, regardless of background or circumstances, have equitable access to high-quality, culturally and linguistically responsive programs and services that support their healthy physical, mental, and social development and learning. This policy agenda will provide a roadmap to the system-wide changes that are needed to advance this goal.
