We talk a lot about our program being developmental.  What does this mean in terms of our very youngest children?

Here are the Ages of Infancy...

0 - 8 Months  This stage of development is about Trust Building.  It is of utmost importance for babies to bond and form attachments.  We must create opportunities for closeness, provide consistency of caregivers, be available and prompt in answering their needs, bring them things of interest, encourage the use of their five senses, and avoid over stimulation.

6 - 18 Months  This is the time for Exploration; crawling and moving...the first experiences of independent separation.  We need to provide a secure base of support, a safe and engaging environment, and opportunities for challenging movement.  It is important for us to share their joy of growing competence.  They need to experience trying things on their own.  We should get down on their level, so that they can see and hear us better.

18 - 36 Months  This is the stage of Identity.  The children are developing a sense of self.  We must...

• respect their self-assertion
• be patient when hearing "No!"
• provide social guidelines
• offer many choices of activity
• support fantasy and creativity
• allow independence and social experiences
• assist in their play
• allow them to make (safe) choices

What are their Discoveries during the Ages of Infancy?

*Use of tools -- anything that can be used to accomplish what the child wants; a cry, a hand, a caregiver and an object.  The tool is a means to an end.

*Relationships of cause and effect -- infants begin to understand that events and outcomes are caused.  They begin to realize that they can cause things to happen, others can cause things to happen, and objects can cause things to happen.

*Object Permanence -- Understanding that objects which are gone from sight still exist. Infants discover that objects are permanent through repeated experience with the same objects; this is fully recognized  at about 18 months old.  A perfect example of this discovery is "peek-a-boo".  Separation is difficult because babies do not understand that it is only temporary and that parents will return.

*How things move and fit into space -- infants and toddlers are learning about distance, movement, and perspective.

*Power of imitation -- the children are matching what they see and hear; actions, reactions, sounds and facial expressions.  They practice until their imitations become increasingly complex and purposeful.  Imitation is one of the major ways children begin to talk.

*Learning Schemes are the organizing of actions and patterns. Babies gather information from what they see, hear, touch, taste, and smell.  They use this information in physical ways.  They practice and refine them; forming patterns of actions (knowing, thinking, and doing).

Curriculum During The Ages of Infancy

What is the difference between caring for a baby and infant education?  Infant education takes place in a carefully planned and well-facilitated curriculum.  The curriculum consists of two elements -- caregiving and play.  The education happens when the curriculum is designed to meet all the needs of each child.

Babies are born ready to master language, search for meaning, solve problems, and move about.  They need to learn about everything.  The earliest learning experience is who to trust.

Quality caregiving leads to attachment.  Attachment is the reciprocal feeling of belonging and being loved.

Attachment = Trust = Confidence to separate and explore.  A baby who is attached is empowered.  Caregiving fosters attachment.  Caregivers use routines as opportunities for learning (feeding, diapering, toilet learning, washing, dressing, and napping).  Attachment that is developed through caregiving enhances and enriches interactions.  The result is security and confidence.

Children develop skills and learn concepts in their play.  They make discoveries, choices, and decisions.  They problem solve and develop interests.  This play is self-directed and has no specified outcome.  Play builds foundations for more advanced learning.

Here's what infants and toddlers learn through play:

Development of Perception is the mental grasp of sensory experiences and the ability to organize knowledge.  Sensory understanding is necessary to other areas of development.  Repetition and practice lay the foundation for mastery providing meaningful connections about objects and people in a baby's world.  Early sensory experiences strengthen brain development and provide the base for cognitive development; sight, sound, taste, smell, and touch.

Development of Language -- Stimulation provided by early interactive experiences with other children and adults is vital to the brain development necessary to foster language.

Talk - Tell stories - Sing songs - Rhyme - Read books - Recite poetry - Listen and reply

Physical Development encompasses both large and fine motor skills.  Infants and Toddlers should be provided numerous opportunities to practice what they are able to do.  Each opportunity helps prepare them for the next stage.

Each stage takes place when they are ready and differs from baby to baby.  Giving babies the time to develop at their own pace is a gift.  A reasonable challenge will encourage growth and motivation.

Cognitive Development is the gathering, organizing, and assimilation of information.  Children need endless opportunities to construct knowledge through experience and exploration.

Social Development is the sum of nurturing, support, security, encouragement, positive guidance, experiences, opportunities, practice, and strong ttachment.  Added together, the result will reflect positive self concept, independence, and confidence; all of which equal SELF ESTEEM.

Emotional Development with secure attachment will occur as we help young children to recognize their own feelings and cope with them.  We need to promote self-calming techniques and language to identify and express these feelings.  Developing these skills will lead to self-direction, self-control, and empowerment.

Creative Development is the preceptor of critical thinking and problem solving. Infants and Toddlers create knowledge through opportunities to explore.  When there is no expected outcome, babies become the center of their own learning, constructing information both in predictable and divergent results.

Reference:  Infants, Toddler, and Caregivers (Fifth Edition) by Janet Gonzalez-Mena, Dianne Widmeyer Eyer.  Mayfield Publishing Co. Mountain View, CA.