The Bridgeport Basics

The Basics are five fun, simple, and powerful ways that every family can give every child a great start in life.

Educational Video Series on Child Development

This educational video series on the importance of the early years was created by the Project for Babies, a former initiative of the University of Minnesota Center for Early Education and Development. The series consists of five videos, each approximately three to seven minutes in length.

Serve and Return Interaction Shapes Brain Circuitry

One of the most essential experiences in shaping the architecture of the developing brain is “serve and return” interaction between children and significant adults in their lives. Young children naturally reach out for interaction through babbling, facial expressions, and gestures, and adults respond with the same kind of vocalizing and gesturing back at them. This back-and-forth process is fundamental to the wiring of the brain, especially in the earliest years.

8 Things to Remember about Child Development

Building on a well-established knowledge base more than half a century in the making, recent advances in the science of early childhood development and its underlying biology provide a deeper understanding that can inform and improve existing policy and practice, as well as help generate new ways of thinking about solutions. In this important list, featured in the From Best Practices to Breakthrough Impacts report, the Center on the Developing Child sets the record straight about some aspects of early child development.

Experiences Build Brain Architecture

The basic architecture of the brain is constructed through a process that begins early in life and continues into adulthood. Simpler circuits come first and more complex brain circuits build on them later. This video is from Three Core Concepts in Early Development, a three-part video series from the Center and the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child.

5 Steps for Brain Building Serve and Return

Child-adult relationships that are responsive and attentive—with lots of back and forth interactions—build a strong foundation in a child’s brain for all future learning and development. This is called “serve and return,” and it takes two to play! Follow these 5 steps to practice serve and return with your child.

Executive Function Skills for Life and Learning

This edition of the InBrief series explains how these lifelong skills develop, what can disrupt their development, and how supporting them pays off in school and life. 

The Science of Early Childhood Development

This video from the InBrief series addresses basic concepts of early childhood development, established over decades of neuroscience and behavioral research, which help illustrate why child development—particularly from birth to five years—is a foundation for a prosperous and sustainable society.

Typical speech and language development

This resource provides an opportunity to learn about the difference between speech and language. It also provides information on speech, language and hearing milestones from birth to 5, as well as information on identifying speech, language and hearing disorders for parents, families and caregivers.

10 Tips for Getting Kids to Go Low Tech This Holiday Season

This resource provides 10 ideas for how to reduce screen time for kids, courtesy of the ASHA Healthy Communication & Popular Technology Initiative.

Identify the signs of communication disorders

Identify the Signs aims to educate the public about the warning signs of communication disorders. Speech, language, and hearing disorders are treatable and early detection is a major contributor to speedier recoveries, shortened treatment periods, and reduced costs for individuals and society. Use this site to learn the warning signs; if necessary, seek professional help; and share information with family, friends, and social networks.

Early identification of speech, language, and hearing disorders

Are you worried about your child's speech, language, or hearing? Know the signs, and get help early.