The Zero to Three website (Zero to Three, 2014) has a wealth of knowledge regarding children ages birth through three years old. I intentionally chose this website because I am curious about these very early years of life and want to know more about the development of the brain during those years.
One of the topics that caught my eye that has been a recent unresolved discussion point is an article advocating for family leave after a child is born (Zero to Three and the National Partnership for Women & Families, 2013). Currently, the Family & Medical Leave Act (U.S. Department of Labor, 2014) “provides certain employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year.” I know that individual states have family leave policy laws, however this fact sheet presents the argument to have a national family leave act for all.
Zero to Three and the National Partnership for Women & Families (2013) also outlines the positive impact that the time spent in the first few months between newborn and parents can have on the best beginnings for babies. This paper presents the benefits of paid leave for babies, their families and society based on research. “A period of paid leave after birth contributes to the healthy development of infants and toddlers.” “Family and medical leave improves the outcomes for the entire family, including parents and caregivers.” “Paid leave policies can benefit employers, taxpayers, and the economy, now and in the future.” (p. 2).
Zero to Three (Zero to Three, 2014) has a specific tab for public policy. “The Policy Center brings to bear ZERO TO THREE’s more than 30 years of research-based expertise on infant and toddler development to ensure that public policies reflect best practices and current research in support of our nation’s very young children” (Zero to Three, 2014).
In May 2013, the “Zero to Three Policy Center hosted a state policy action team meeting on developing and moving an infant-toddler policy agenda” (Zero to Three, 2014). The goals of this meeting were to highlight innovate state models and strategies that have worked, assist states in moving forward a policy agenda for infant, toddlers and their families and to promote relationships and potential collaborations among the participants of the meeting. According the Zero to Three website (Zero to Three, 2014), this group met once and promises to meet to move forward with the goals identified as a result of this meeting.
The Zero to Three website has so much information that it is hard to stay focused on one specific issue! I continue to search through the many resources that Zero to Three offers regarding best practices and strategies for helping very young children to grow and develop to their absolute potential.
References
U.S. Department of Labor (2014). Leave Benefits: Family & Medical Leave. Retrieved from http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/benefits-leave/fmla.htm.
Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families (2014). Retrieved from http://www.zerotothree.org.
Zero to Three and the National Partnership for Women & Families. (2013, December). The Child Development Case for a National Paid Family & Medical Leave Insurance Program (The FAMILY Act). Retrieved from http://www.zerotothree.org/public-policy/pdf/pfl-fact-sheet-final.pdf.
Denise's Journey 
I enjoyed reading your post and think parents and educator should research this website because there are vital information that we don’t know about. This website can parents up to date with the development of our children. I have use this website many of time as a reference.
Hi Denise,
Zero to Three is a great website because, it is very informative. They have every topic you can think for teachers and parents. The topic you picked is so important in our society. It is important for a parent(s) to stay home and cater to their child. Staying home has many positive effects for the child and parent(s). I never though how paid leave effects the tax payers and the economy, that’s a good point. I love the picture you chose it is powerful. Your blog was very informative.
LaNea