Babies are just babies, or are they?
I have just been told that I have to start making lesson plans for the infant room; I already feed, diaper and attend to their cries so why do I have to create a curriculum? This is a common question among infant and toddler caregivers and an issue that can cause extreme confusion, frustration and anxiety. Creating a curriculum for infants and toddlers is extremely important as we now know that the first three years of life are the critical years to a child's development. Research tells us that more rapid brain development takes place during these years than at any other time of their life. During this period, children are discovering who they are, how others respond to them, how to relate to others, how to express feelings and whether they are loved. Their brains are being "wired" into patterns for emotional, social, physical and cognitive development that sets the foundation and future of the child.
What is infant toddler curriculum?
Infant Toddler curriculum is everything that can contribute to the child's development. The curriculum guides you, the teacher, through the processes of planning, implementing and evaluating individualized experiences that allow young children the opportunity to encounter challenges they can be successful with. A common misconception of infant toddler curriculum is that you will be planning "activities" at specific times of the day, gathering materials, etc. Activities for young children are integrated into everything you do with them and often occur in the context of routines. When you feed an infant you are providing a "tasting" activity. When you play music, hold an infant and march around the room with the toddlers you are having fun with "music and movement." Curriculum for infants and toddlers does not always mean that the child is performing a task with an object it can be as simple as a meaningful interaction between you and the child.
Why should I create a curriculum?
Your work with infants and toddlers is extremely important, for you are helping to build both a foundation and a future for each child. All children learn through play and experiences so the more different types of experiences you offer, the more learning opportunities take place and the greater the chance that each child will continue to be successful learners throughout their lives. The young infant's day revolves around caregiving routines-diapering, dressing, eating and sleeping. Caregiving routines are important times, offering unique opportunities for one-to-one interaction and for visual and tactile learning. It is extremely important to remember that a child does not have to manipulate an object to learn; every sight, sound, touch and smell provides an experience that creates an impression in the brain for later use. Caregivers must carefully plan meaningful, unique and individual opportunities as most children in childcare spend more waking hours with the caregiver than with their own family, therefore relying on the caregiver as a source of information about the world around them. It is important however to remember that every baby is an individual person and grows and develops in his/her own way and at his/her own pace.
As a childcare professional you have been entrusted to support and enhance the growth and development of every child in your care; planned meaningful experiences and responses will engage each child in a pattern of life long learning.
Resources:
The Creative Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers - Dombro, Colker, Dodge Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs - Bredekamp & Copple
The Magic of Everyday Moments - Zero to Three
If you would like more information about Infant Toddler Curriculum or would like information on other Infant Toddler issues please contact:
Special Projects Coordinator
4200 Perimeter Center Dr. Suite 235
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
1-888-962-2772
birthtothree@oklahomachildcare.org