First3Years

07/22/2025

Here are some rockin’ tips for reading with your child 📖🎸⚡️

💌The HITC Sticking Together Campaign wants to recognize parents who engage in activities that promote Early Relational Health and support healthy child development. We want to highlight Reading Rockstar parents and caregivers who bring stories to life using a few of our tips and tricks:

💥 Making funny noises makes the story more fun and lets you bond with your little one through shared laughter!

❓ Asking questions allows you and your child to talk about the story and build a strong relationship through back-and-forth interactions.

👉 Pointing at pictures and new words is a great way to encourage joint attention between you and your baby.

👶 Following your child’s lead lets your child explore the story and nurtures trust in your caregiver-child relationship!

07/18/2025

🚨 We’re recruiting new Board Members! 🚨

Are you passionate about improving the lives of infants and toddlers across Texas? First3Years is seeking dynamic, committed leaders to join our Board of Directors!

As a Board Member, you’ll help shape the future of early relational and mental health, support fundraising efforts, and serve as an ambassador for our mission: to nurture the early relational and mental health of infants and toddlers in Texas.

✅ Collaborate with a statewide team of experts
✅ Strengthen early childhood systems
✅ Use your voice to create impact that lasts a lifetime

Learn more and apply today: https://first3years.bamboohr.com/careers

07/17/2025

🧠💞 Early Relationships Shape Lifetimes

The nurturing relationships babies and toddlers build with their parents and caregivers are foundational to healthy development — and to the well-being of the entire family.

This is Early Relational Health in action: a powerful, unifying concept that connects early childhood development, family engagement, and system coordination.
When we center relationships, we build stronger children, stronger families, and stronger communities. 🌱

07/10/2025

Messy house, tired parent, & wiggly toddler? It's time to become a Melody Maker!

💌 The HITC Sticking Together Campaign wants to recognize parents who engage in activities that promote Early Relational Health and support healthy child development. Today, we want to highlight Melody Maker parents and caregivers who bring music and movement to life into their daily routines 🎶

Taking turns throwing toys in a bin, wiping a counter together, or just dancing to the music is a great way for your child to practice grasping, reaching, and whole body control. Building these activities into your day to day routines supports your child’s physical development and encourages bonding and relationship building between you and your little one.

07/09/2025

Our Hearts Are With the Texas Hill Country

The recent floods in the Texas Hill Country have brought devastating loss to families, communities, and professionals across the region. Our thoughts are with everyone affected—and especially with those providing care and support during this time of crisis.

At First3Years, we are offering free, emergency reflective space meetings for early childhood professionals and others impacted by the floods. These sessions are a space to process, reflect, and be supported—because caregivers need care too.

🧡To our neighbors in the Hill Country: we stand with you in grief, in resilience, and in recovery.

💛If you're looking to help, consider donating to trusted local relief efforts—and share this resource with those who may need it.

🤍For more information on reflective meetings please email Natalie Aviles at info@first3yearstx.org

07/08/2025

🚨 Calling all First3Years Members! 🚨
We’re building the 2026 Infant Mental Health Advocacy Conference—and we want your voice at the table. Join our planning committee to help shape a meaningful, statewide celebration of Infant Mental Health. 💙

📅 Conference: March 5–6, 2026
📍 Dallas, TX
📝 Sign up here: https://forms.gle/5cBn7EYn1NaFhHSm8

07/04/2025

Happy 4th of July!! ❤️🤍💙 One of the principles of Early Relational Health is “Focusing on Simple, Everyday Interactions”. Here are a few everyday practices you can use to make tonight’s fireworks celebration even more special for you and your little one✨👶

‼️Preparation
🤝 Close Contact
🏷️ Point & Label
🫶 Check In

Enjoy the celebration while building strong, nurturing bonds 🧡💛

07/03/2025

We’re incredibly grateful to the for their ongoing support of our Early Relational Health programming at First3Years. Their investment helps us strengthen the vital caregiver-child relationships that shape healthy brain development, emotional wellbeing, and lifelong resilience. 💙👶

06/26/2025

👶Blah Blah Blah Today! Words tomorrow!
💭Did you know that babbling and cooing is early language?

💌 The HITC Sticking Together Campaign wants to recognize parents who engage in activities that promote Early Relational Health and support healthy child development. Today, we want to highlight Babble Boss parents and caregivers who respond to their babies' babbles and coos. 💬

Through this simple, everyday activity, you and your child are learning the preverbal skill of “serve and return”. 🏓 As adults, “serving and returning” in conversations may come more naturally to us- we know that when someone finishes speaking (serving), it is our turn to respond (returning). Infants and children are still learning this conversational skill, and responding to their babbles and coos is a great way to lay the foundation for early language development while strengthening the caregiver-child relationship! ❤️

06/24/2025

🎖️👶How does growing up in a military-connected family impact child development and family relationships?

Join us in July for our “Holding the Hard Together: Supporting Babies and Caregivers in Military-Connected Families” webinar. Together, we will explore the unique challenges military families face and learn more about what we can do to help support children and nurture relationships in these ever-changing environments.

July 21, 2025 | 1-2PM CST | Webinar via Zoom
🎟️ FREE for F3Y Members | $15 for non-members
🔗 Register today: https://first3yearstx.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/first3yearstx/eventRegistration.jsp?event=5180&

06/23/2025

🎉👶 It’s Official! 👶🎉
Baby Day 2026 is happening on April 18th!
Mark your calendars for Texas’ only statewide celebration dedicated to the first three years of life.

💙 From playful activities to meaningful moments, Baby Day is all about bonding, learning, and growing together.

Stay tuned for updates — we can’t wait to celebrate with YOU! 🥳

06/20/2025

👶💙 Every Baby Deserves a Strong Start 💙👶
At First3Years, we believe the first three years of life are everything. From bonding with caregivers to building healthy brains, these early moments shape a child’s future.

Your support helps us:
✨ Promote Early Relational Health
✨ Support caregivers & professionals
✨ Strengthen community systems for infants and toddlers
💡 Together, we can create brighter beginnings.

🔗 Make a Donation and Join the 1-2-3 Club Today:

Our FIRST MILESTONE of 2024 is to raise $12,300! When you join the 1-2-3 Club, you are helping us to reach our goal of raising $123,000 annually to support children 0-3 throughout Texas!! As a Club Member, your name will be added to our virtual donor wall to honor your contribution!