Repsonsive Environments for Infants and Toddlers

Course Description: Brain development research indicates that the degree of responsive caregiving that children receive as infants and toddlers positively affects the architecture of the brain itself, thereby promoting healthy development (Newberger, 1997).  Strategies that provide nurturing and supportive interactions within a responsive infant and toddler environment will be explored. The participants will reflect upon who they are as infant and toddler educators and be inspired to establish responsive and respectful, relationships with the children and families in their programs. The importance of developing emotional and social attachments and relationships with infants and toddlers will be examined. 

Course Objectives:
 1. Educators will provide a relationship based environment that supports optimal infant and toddler development through responsive and respectful interactions.
2.  Identify and document strengths and challenges in working with infants and toddlers;
3. Formulate a philosophy statement that reflects the Ten Principles of Responsive Caregiving;
4. Describe the impact of relationships, responsive and respectful interactions, on brain development;
5. Outline the importance of relationships that are respectful and responsive with families;
6. Explain the concept of temperament and “goodness of fit”;
7. Identify an environment that supports responsive caregiving through curriculum, messages in the environment, and routines. 

If you are interested in other professional development topics on infant and toddler please check out

Using the Massachusetts Early Learning Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers online 12/02/16-12/16/16

Developmentally Appropriate Pratice for Children under 2 at Fisher College, North Attleboro on 2/4/17

More Information

EEC Training Hours: 5

CEU: 0.5

QRIS Standard Alignment: Curriculum and Learning

Core Competency: 4: Learning Environments and Curric