Four babies from different parts of the world—Namibia, Mongolia, Japan, and the United States—are born and experience their first moments of life, offering a glimpse into their diverse cultural settings. The film begins with the newborns and captures their first breaths, cries, and interactions with their immediate environments and family members. As they begin to explore their small worlds, each baby's development milestones, such as crawling, walking, and first words, are documented. The Namibian baby, Ponijao, grows up in a rural village, surrounded by a close-knit community, while Bayar in Mongolia experiences life on the steppes with his family who live in a yurt. In urban Tokyo, Mari is introduced to a fast-paced life filled with modern conveniences, and Hattie in San Francisco navigates her early days in a metropolis teeming with stimulation.

Throughout the film, viewers are offered a unique perspective on the early stages of human life, highlighting both the universality and the cultural specificity of childhood. The differences in upbringing, such as Ponijao's barefoot adventures outdoors versus Mari's indoor play sessions filled with educational toys, show the varied approaches to parenting and child development around the globe. Despite the geographical and cultural disparities, the similarities in the joys, challenges, and significant milestones that all these babies experience are evident. The film ends on a note emphasizing the universal nature of early human experiences, showcasing how these first years are formative regardless of the backdrop against which they unfold.