Edited by Eleanor Stokes Szanton

Creating Child-Centered Programs for Infants and Toddlers is the fourth publication in a series designed for teachers and caregivers in early childhood programs. This guide brings the Step by Step philosophy of introducing child-centered learning as the foundation for preparing children to live productively in democratic societies to our very youngest citizens, those between birth and three years of age.

Since more growth and development takes place in the first three years of life, research and practice point to the need for infants to develop secure attachments to significant adults through responsive, nurturing caregiving in infant programs. Practical advice is given to teachers and caregivers on how to support the emotional, social, cognitive, language, and physical development of very young children. It encourages caregivers to listen to, guide, and help individual children make sense of the world around them. It shows caregivers how to create learning environments that are warm and inviting as well as safe and clean.

Creating Child-Centered Programs for Infants and Toddlers is divided into five sections:  Parts One and Two introduce the content of the guide, the research base for the methodology, and the terminology used throughout the curriculum; Part Three, How Infants and Toddlers Learn, forms the core of the child-centered curriculum for working with groups of infants and toddlers and includes information on daily routines and observing development; Part Four, The Environment for Learning, discusses health, safety, nutrition, and the design of responsive environments; Part Five, Program Staffing and Evaluation, guides program administrators through the selection and training of staff and addresses child/staff ratios and supervision. The curriculum provides many helpful charts and sample forms including charts on infant, toddler development, sample classroom schedules, and designs for classroom space.