1. WestEd.org Introduction to Module II: Group Care Developed by Peter Mangione. © WestEd, The Program for Infant/Toddler Care. This document may be reproduced for educational purposes.

2. WestEd.org Critical Question What are we trying to accomplish when caring for infants and toddlers in groups?

3. WestEd.org Purpose of Infant/Toddler Care  Meet Parent/Family’s Needs  Meet Society’s Needs  Meet Infant’s Needs!

4. WestEd.org 1.Developmental Theory & Child Development Research 2.Preschool/Pre-Kindergarten Education 3.Practice/Observation Influences on Infant/Toddler Care

5. WestEd.org  Social-emotional growth and first relationships are the foundation for all development during infancy  Infants learn through their senses and active discovery; they are competent, motivated learners  Connection to family and culture is critically important What We Know from Research

6. WestEd.org What We Know from Research “Quality of care ultimately boils down to the quality of the relationship between the child care provider or teacher and the child.” Shonkoff, J. P., & Phillips, D. A. (2000). From neurons to neighborhoods: The science of early childhood development.

7. WestEd.org All young children (birth to 5) learn through self- initiated active exploration, manipulation of materials, and experimentation However: Infants and toddlers are not developmentally ready for projects that require planning or group learning activities such as circle time Infants and Toddlers Aren’t Little Preschoolers

8. WestEd.org Our best means of learning how to set up care for infants and toddlers is to observe them. Through observation, we understand the uniqueness of infancy, the meaning of their first relationships, and the special ways that they learn. Observation

9. WestEd.org Module II  Environment  Care Routines  Small Groups and Individualization of Care  Primary Care and Continuity of Care

10. WestEd.org RELATIONSHIP-BASED CARE: SIX PROGRAM POLICIES  Primary Care  Small Groups  Continuity of Care  Individualization of Care  Cultural Continuity  Inclusion of Children with Special Needs