A child’s brain is hardest at work during the first three years of life, busy creating the foundation for all future learning capacity, social emotional development, and mental and physical health. The experiences of these early years affect not only school achievement, but also lifelong health.   

To maximize this unique period of growth, infants and toddlers need nurturing connections that reinforce their well-being and strengthen their development — at home, in child care and in other community settings.  

Early Learning Indiana, with generous support from Lilly Endowment Inc., has launched the Early Years Initiative, a competitive grant opportunity for organizations to help infants and toddlers develop foundational knowledge and skills that support their future learning and development.  Eligible organizations throughout Indiana are invited to propose new, enhanced or expanded programs or projects that influence healthy brain development and the development of physical, social-emotional and cognitive skills in infants and toddlers (children from birth through age three).