Endless Opportunities for Infant and Toddler Curriculum

Book excerpt: For courses in Infant and Toddler Curriculum in Early Childhood Education or Family and Child Studies Departments. Planning relationship-based curriculum centered on individual child observations. This practical book's approach promotes the notion that adult observation and reflective responses to infants' and toddlers' endless learning opportunities as they occur throughout the day is the real root of "curriculum" for this age group. It uses a unique yet universally accepted three-step approach (observe, reflect, respond) to thinking about and caring for young children. Emphasizing a relationship-based approach and reflecting on the child's individuality (including his culture), the authors connect theory and research to contemporary care and educational practices. This text, unlike the authors' other comprehensive development and program planning text, has a focus on practice, while also explaining key concepts and integrating brief references to theory. It helps adults working with infants and toddlers make great use of the world's endless opportunities for learning and relationship building.