Giving Delaware Babies a Strong Start
GIFT CONNECT Delaware is here to help parents and caregivers give children the best start in life. We focus on the earliest years—birth to age three—because that’s when a baby’s brain grows the fastest. These early moments shape everything that comes after.
Brain science shows that 80 percent of brain development happens by age three. In Delaware, most early education programs start at age four or later. If we wait until pre-K or kindergarten, we’ve missed the most important window for learning.
GIFT CONNECT is for parents, grandparents, and caregivers of children from birth to age three. Our program is especially designed for all families who want to support their child’s development but may not know where to start.
You don’t need to be a teacher or have any special background. If you care for a baby, GIFT CONNECT is for you.
What Families are Saying
In our first demonstration project in Wilmington, parents told us the program was “useful, meaningful, and easy to use.” They loved the songs and they” felt closer to their babies,” feeling more confident as caregivers.
What We Teach:
The Six Loving Habits
The heart of the Gift Connect program is the Six Loving Habits—simple, loving actions scientifically proven to help babies grow smarter, healthier, and happier. These are things most parents already do—but we show you how to do them with purpose, joy, and confidence.
Speak
Sing
Read
Play
Count
Serve & Return
Our Delaware Program
We work with local child care centers, community organizations, and family support groups.
We offer in-person workshops and small group sessions are hosted in trusted locations like community centers, libraries, and churches.
We offer a free community-centered program with hands-on, interactive and fun experiences for caregivers and babies together.
We work with partners all across Delaware, who train leaders with free lesson plans, materials, and support so they can teach the program on their own.
Free Parenting Suite
Every parent who participates receives access to the GIFT CONNECT Parenting Suite, a free digital platform accessible by phone or computer.
Song
Generator
Story
Generator
Voice/Txt
Assistant
Local Partners and Community Supporters
Gift Connect Delaware is supported by an incredible team of community partners comprising some 30 early education professionals and 20+ Collaborating Organizations.
If you care for a child from birth to age three, we welcome you.
Gift Connect is not a series of classes. It’s a movement to arm our children with the skills they need to succeed. For more information, email us your questions, or sign up to join an upcoming session.
Let’s grow together.
