Infant and Toddler Learning Development

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Infant and Toddler Learning Development Sheila Bagwell Infant and Toddler Learning & Development/ECE345 Merrian Gagnon Throughout their day-to-day experiences with infants and toddlers, caregivers will find that there are developmental strands that tie the elements together, much like a ribbon. The strands come together to create a picture of excellent care for infants and toddlers. The strands do not represent lessons or activities in the traditional sense. Rather, the strands provide a framework that supports optimal developmental in all areas. The strands are: • To learn about themselves - Self Concept Development • To learn about their feelings - Emotional Development • To learn about other people - Social Development • To learn to communicate - Language Development • To learn to move and do - Physical Development • To learn to think - Cognitive Development The quality of early experiences is shaped by the individuals with whom infants and toddlers spend their time and by the environments where they spend their time. As early childhood professionals, we know what children need in order to be successful in both school and in life. This document designed for program trainers, directors and parent educators to use as they work with caregivers and parents to insure quality care for infants and toddlers. Infants and toddlers are cared for in a variety of settings. These settings include the child’s own home, child care centers and family child care. The quality of the care they receive, whatever the setting, is a primary concern here. The kind of relationships and experiences infants and toddlers have can either nurture of interfere with their development. An infant's capacity to learn and thrive depends on the interplay between nature and nurture. Infants come into this world with an inherited genetic
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