In this term paper I will explore infant and toddler curriculum. I will discuss: the developmental themes in infancy, infant toddler curriculum, and the differences between preschool curriculum and appropriate infant toddler curriculum. In conclusion I will share some of my personal feelings about infant and toddler curriculum, including the challenges and rewards.
Developmental Themes of Infancy
‘The behaviors and abilities that develop during each stage are influenced by the theme that consumes that stage (Blackboard, 2013).” The three themes of infant development are: security (Young Birth to 8 months); exploration (Mobile 6 months-18 months); and identity (Toddler 15 months to 36 months). During the security stage young
It is understood that very young children need to play a significant role in selecting their learning experiences, materials, and content. Curriculum plans, therefore, do not focus on games, tasks, or activities, but on how to best create a social, emotional, and intellectual climate that supports child-initiated and child-pursued learning and the building and sustaining of positive relationships among adults and children.
“Responsive curriculum planning focuses on finding strategies to help infant-toddler teachers search for, support, and keep alive children's internal motivation to learn, and their spontaneous explorations of people and things of interest and importance to them (Blackboard, 2013).” This should begin with study of the specific children in care. “Detailed records of each child's interests and skills are kept to give guidance to the adults for the roles they will take in each child's learning (Greenman, Stonehouse, and Schweikert, 2008, pg.30).” It should also be realized from the start that plans should not be static. Adaptation and change are critical parts of the learning process and should be anticipated. “Once an interaction with a child or small cluster of children begins, the teacher has to be ready to adapt his or her plans and actions so they work for all children, no matter what kind of physical , mental or emotional challenges individual bring to the program