The Infant/Toddler Teacher’s ERS Toolbox Providing teachers with the “tools” they need to implement the Environment Rating Scales

Review the role of the early childhood teacher in creating high quality experiences for infants and toddlers. Gain understanding of how the Environment Rating Scales (ERS) can be used to support program planning and growth.

Thelma Harms Richard Clifford Debby Cryer

 University of North Carolina

The PA Key ERS Team has 16 Assessors. The Assessors have, on average, more than 18 years of ECE experience. Center/Program Directors Classroom Teachers ERS Head Start Military For-profit and Non-profit Home-based Acceditated Young Toddlers Preschoolers Kindergarten & School- age Early Intervention “Assessee” and Assessor

 We want to see programs do well on the ERS. We want ECE teachers to like where they work and feel supported.  Like you, we want good things for all children.

Environment Rating Scales & Best Practice Working Together

 Look at what actually happens in the classroom.  Change and adapt as we learn more.  Notes for Clarification! (  Emphasize developmentally appropriate practice – teachers and kids working together to explore and experience.

To make good decisions, teachers consider what they know: (1) about child development and learning, (2) about each child as an individual, and (3) about the social and cultural contexts in which each child lives.

“.. practice that promotes young children’s optimal learning and development.”

The Piggly Wigglies

 You are unsure about what/how many materials and when they should be accessible and what the Assessor is looking for  Assessors are “unfriendly”  You want more feedback before, during, and after the assessment  You want longer/multi-day assessments

Much of the day...

 Much of the day: In most items, “much of the day” is associated with the children’s access to materials typically used indoors. It means most of the time that any child maybe awake and able to play. If children are prevented from using materials for long periods by overly long routines when the children have to wait with nothing to do, being kept in groups that they are not engaged in, or being kept in areas where access is not possible, then credit cannot be given for “much of the day”

Enough is enough... Or is it?

How about this one? Or this?  Is this a picture of an animal?  This one?

Working with a group that includes everyone from non-mobile infants to walkers will also impact the way you use your available space(s).

What do outdoor experiences look like for infants and toddlers?

Among the many reasons why television & computers are not considered appropriate for very young children is that they take away from the interactions that are so critical to development... especially language development.

“To get ready for the observation, it is best to just follow the routine daily, don’t short cut. This way you & your children will be more comfortable.” “... practice what you are supposed to do on a daily basis...” “Take the ERS training.”

Our Favorite “Assessors”