On June 3, I addressed the "Building Power for Babies" conference. The words power and babies aren't typically used together because people gain and express power through knowledge, connections, confidence and language. But babies possess none of these skills or traits - yet. During the first years of life, babies learn about their own power through the actions and reactions of others: "When I cry, what happens?" They will become influencers and negotiators; communicators and listeners; connectors and responders. But what happens when the caring adults are burdened by their own challenges and restricted power? Who is building power for babies? 

Dr. Karen Cadigan, in her final days as director of the Minnesota Department of Education Early Learning, also spoke. Her voice gave power to babies. Karen believes that babies need to influence policies. While babies and their busy parents cannot line the legislative halls, lobbyist can. Babies need to be engaged in the political process in the same ways as K-12, affinity groups and the elderly to build policies that create affordable, nurturing, high quality everyday experiences. The scientific evidence is strong. We know what to do. We need to find the public will to make it happen.