The premiere book in the STEM for Our Youngest Learners Series introduces the Infant Toddler Inquiry Learning Model, a new way to think about how young children (birth-age 3) explore, think, and learn STEM concepts. The book also demonstrates how the Inquiry Teaching Model can guide teachers in implementing STEM experiences for this age group.…

This practical resource explains brain development from prenatal to age 8 with suggestions for activities educators and caregivers can use to foster children's cognitive growth. The authors begin with the basics of brain development, and the issues that affect it, and then provide information specific to infant, toddler, preschool, and…

This paper describes an environmental education initiative called Starting out Wild (SoW) designed for toddlers and their caretakers. The program, developed by staff and volunteers of a city parks department, engages children ages 1-3 and their parents and caretakers through outdoor learning experiences. We suggest that environmental education…

Building on extensive feedback from the field as well as vigorous new research on how best to support infant and toddler development and learning, the authors have revised and updated the widely used "Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale." ITERS-3 is the next-generation assessment tool for use in center-based child care programs for…

The authors show how teachers can use nature explorations as a personal guide in implementing early learning standards. They describe five outdoor experiences of children in age groups ranging from 20 months to 5 years. A chart specifies which of the Nebraska state learning guidelines and Creative Curriculum goals the experiences meet, across the…

Designed to introduce the responsibilities of citizenship to children between 2 and 6 years of age, this 2-week lesson plan aims to ensure that children can explain the importance of voter registration and voting to their parents. It is also designed to develop in children a sense of the importance of exercising their citizenship rights.…

This training guide is designed to enable parents and early childhood staff and managers to support and facilitate infant and toddler transitions through responsive relationships that are secure and consistent. The guide defines transitions during the first 3 years of life from developmental and relational perspectives that include changes that…

Four early childhood preservice teachers interviewed and observed teachers and children in early learning centers on the Salish and Kootenai Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of preservice teachers versus those of the caregivers (in-service teachers) regarding the presence of family…

Special education teachers (N=123) rank ordered a list of functional skills associated with two-year-olds. The factor-analyzed results revealed a classification of four types of children in greatest need of early childhood special education placement: children environmentally at risk, lacking gross-motor skills, lacking readiness and fine-motor…

Suggestions are offered for strengthening the basic speech, language, and communication skills of young children with hearing impairments, during ordinary periods of interaction at home. Suggestions focus on auditory training, speech drills, and reading, as well as formal and informal language instruction for all family members. (JDD)

Noting that infants should be encouraged to be physically active from the beginning of life to enhance physical and cognitive development, this statement provides teachers, parents, caregivers, and health care professionals with guidelines that address the kinds of activities, the environment, and the individuals responsible for facilitating very…

This self-directed teacher's guide accompanies "Innovations," a comprehensive, interactive curriculum for toddlers from 18 to 36 months. The "Innovations" program is based on the view that curricula for young children should involve thinking and planning for everything that can contribute to child development as well as the teacher's relationship…

This resource provides information to assist early childhood teachers, caregivers, parents, family members and other adults in promoting the learning and development of young children. This voluntary guide has been developed to provide information about: (1) what children by the age of five can typically be expected to know and do; and (2) what…

Libraries are faced with changing demographics, emerging technologies, and economic shifts. Families once attended library programs as a unit, children began kindergarten at age five, and libraries offered few programs for children under four. Intact and extended families are a thing of the past. Many children today are raised in single parent…

This program focuses on therapeutic principles and methods for prelinguistic and early language learning, with the goals of increased cognitive functions and sensory awareness/interaction, expanded communicative repertoires, and increased caregiver interaction with the child through appropriate stimuli and assignment of communicative intent. The…