Infant Toddler Curriculum
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 infants need to develop relationship with caring adult’s that ensure them they are safe and secure. In the mobile stage young children should be provided the freedom to explore their surroundings utilizing their newly developed gross and fine motor skills. During the toddler stage young children are in search of who they are as individuals in the world around them. “Developmental domains are one way to describe and think about the different aspects of development in the areas of: emotional; physical, social, cognitive; and language skills of young children. And while we use the domains as a way to organize our thinking and observations of children, in reality all domains are function together simultaneously, especially in the first three years of life. This holistic development is separated into the developmental domains for the purpose of observation, study, developmental assessment, and planning (Blackboard, 2013).” Therefore, it is important to understand how the developmental domains relate to the three themes of infant development; in order to provide DAP care and activities for children in each stage of early childhood development.
For instance, an understanding of the young infant stage, babies develop a sense of
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 infants need to develop relationship with caring adult’s that ensure them they are safe and secure. In the mobile stage young children should be provided the freedom to explore their surroundings utilizing their newly developed gross and fine motor skills. During the toddler stage young children are in search of who they are as individuals in the world around them. “Developmental domains are one way to describe and think about the different aspects of development in the areas of: emotional; physical, social, cognitive; and language skills of young children. And while we use the domains as a way to organize our thinking and observations of children, in reality all domains are function together simultaneously, especially in the first three years of life. This holistic development is separated into the developmental domains for the purpose of observation, study, developmental assessment, and planning (Blackboard, 2013).” Therefore, it is important to understand how the developmental domains relate to the three themes of infant development; in order to provide DAP care and activities for children in each stage of early childhood development.
For instance, an understanding of the young infant stage, babies develop a sense of