Resources for Parents and Caregivers: Children Ages 1-2

This page, Resources for Parents and Caregivers: Children Ages 1-2, is offered by
Department of Early Education and Care
Department of Public Health
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
The Children’s Trust

Having a toddler is different for every person, whether you're a parent, grandparent, guardian, or caregiver. You may have questions about child development, growth, nutrition, early learning, child care, and more. Find support services and self-help resources below.

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Resources for Parents and Caregivers: Children Ages 1-2

Food Assistance & Breastfeeding Support

Parenting Support & Education

Child Care

Child Growth and Development

In Home Visiting Services

Information Resources from Partner Organizations

Help Us Improve Mass.gov with your feedback

Official websites use .mass.gov

Secure websites use HTTPS

Resources for Parents and Caregivers: Children Ages 1-2

Get free healthy foods and nutrition support through WIC + The Women, Infants, & Children Nutrition Program (WIC) is a free nutrition program that provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health care and other services to eligible Massachusetts families.

Find free play groups and education information + Find free play groups and education information The Massachusetts Family Centers and the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Network offer free parent-child playgroups, education, and support for you and your child in your community.

Search for licensed child care + Search online for licensed center-based and family-based child care programs and get information on licensing, location, and ages served.

Find financial assistance for child care + Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (CCR&Rs) offer child care financial assistance to eligible families and resources for finding child care services.

Learn About Early Intervention + A program for children birth to age 3 who have developmental delays or whose parents are concerned that they’re not reaching age-appropriate milestones.

For Families in Massachusetts + The Massachusetts Home Visiting Initiative provides free home visiting services to eligible families expecting a child or have young children from a family support specialist trained to understand the needs of pregnant and parenting families.

For Families Experiencing Homelessness + F.O.R. Families is a home visiting program for families who are transitioning from homelessness to stable housing and receiving Emergency Assistance from the Division of Housing Stabilization.

For Parents in Recovery + FIRST Steps Together is a home visiting program in some communities that was created to support you as a parent working on your recovery. Each family is connected with a Family Recovery Support Specialist, who is a parent in recovery themselves.

For Young Learners’ Reading Support + ParentChild+ is a school readiness program that provides one-on-one reading support for young learners in some communities for families facing challenges. Early learning specialists meet one-on-one with you and your child.

MA 2-1-1 + 24/7 phone support for Massachusetts residents to get information on essential health and human service community resources, including childcare referrals and parenting support.

CDC: Track your child’s health and development + Read about child development from birth to age 5 and tools to track and spot concerns early.

One Tough Job: Information and ideas for caregivers + Being a parent is challenging. Get parenting information and share ideas and information with other parents.

All Babies Cry: Tips for comforting your newborn + Tried and true tips for comforting your newborn. Watch videos and download a mobile app to get advice from experts and other parents.

Hand Hold MA: Caring for a child’s mental health + Information for parents on caring for your child’s mental health and emotional well-being, including a Crisis Call and Text line.

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