In this episode of Plant the Seed of Learning, hosts Crystal Loose and Aimee Ketchum welcome Rebecca Parlakian, Senior Director of Programs at ZERO TO THREE, one of the nation's leading organizations dedicated to ensuring that every baby and toddler has a strong start in life.

With more than two decades of experience supporting children, families, educators, and policymakers, Rebecca shares practical, research-based insights on how relationships, responsive caregiving, and everyday interactions shape children's development from birth through age three.

Together, they explore the power of co-regulation, helping adults "share their calm" with young children, fostering curiosity and early STEM learning, and creating meaningful learning opportunities during everyday routines. Rebecca also discusses the biggest challenges facing today's families, where she sees hope for the future, and the policy changes that could make the greatest difference for young children over the next decade.

Listeners will learn how simple moments—reading a book, asking a question, sharing a laugh, or responding to a child's emotions—can have a profound impact on brain development, emotional well-being, and lifelong learning.

• Why the first three years are critical for brain development
• How co-regulation helps children develop emotional resilience
• Practical strategies for supporting infants and toddlers during stressful moments
• Everyday ways to encourage curiosity, learning, and STEM thinking
• How parents and educators can nurture development without overscheduling children
• The advocacy work of ZERO TO THREE and its impact on families
• Resources available through ZERO TO THREE for parents and professionals
• Insights from Rocking and Rolling, ZERO TO THREE's trusted parenting resource
• The policy changes that could transform outcomes for babies and families

Rebecca Parlakian on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-parlakian

ZERO TO THREE:
https://www.zerotothree.org

Rocking and Rolling Parenting Resources:
https://www.zerotothree.org/resource-type/rocking-and-rolling

Word Wonders Early Language and Literacy Curriculum:
https://www.zerotothree.org

Rebecca will be presenting two exciting sessions at the upcoming LEARN Conference in Portland, Oregon:

• Introducing Word Wonders, a new FREE early language and literacy curriculum grounded in the Science of Reading

• Revealing findings from ZERO TO THREE's NEW 2026 National Parent Survey

Learn more and register:

https://learnconference.org

In This Episode:Learn MoreJoin Rebecca at the 2026 LEARN Conference