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Four Things You Must Know About Infant & Toddlers by Dr. Bisa Lewis

Dr. Bisa is Founder and Managing Partner of Ideal Early Learning, LLC and WINGS Curriculum, LLC. She is a published author of education and parenting articles, college textbooks, children’s books, early childhood curriculum, early learning handbooks and more.

#1 Assessing their Needs

The most appropriate way to fulfill the needs of infants and toddlers is to first assess their needs – physically, socially, emotionally, linguistically and intellectually. 

#2 Daily Opportunities to Explore

Like preschoolers, infants and toddlers need daily opportunities to explore the environment, learn new skills, and interact with adults and peers.

#3 Infant/Toddlers need to be in an Environment that Stimulates their Brain

Babies are born with 100+ billion brain cells called neurons. The first five years of life are the prime years for children to learn HOW to learn. Infants and toddlers should be engaged in safe indoor and outdoor activities that stimulate the brain.

#4 The first five years are critical!

During the first five years of life, children are sponges! If provided suitable learning opportunities, children can do more than just fly, they can soar. WINGS Curriculum recommends six learning centers for infants and nine for toddlers.

Check out WINGS at www.WINGScurriculum.com and Visit Dr. Bisa’s website http://www.drbisa.com/.

Category:

Curriculum, Featured Expert, Health/Safety, Infant/Toddler Care, Quality Care

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Creating A Program That Stimulates the Mind of Infant/Toddlers

Photo Credit: Imagination Plus Child Development Center

According to the National Center for Infant’s, Toddlers and Families, the first three years of life are a period of incredible growth in all areas of a baby’s development. Moreover, it is vital that infants are in home daycares or childcare center programs  that enrich their brain development.

The National Association of Childcare Resource and Referral Agency 2010 Child Care Facts reports, “more than 11 million children under age 5 in the United States are in some type of child care arrangement every week. Also, 58% of mothers with children under the age one are in the workforce.

These statistics are a clear indication that there is a need for infant/toddler care. Furthermore, I think that it is vital that we as childcare providers strive to meet the developmental needs of the infant/toddlers in our care.

In 2002, I completed a college class title, Child Growth & Development. After completing that course, I decided to make changes in my program to meet the developmental needs of the infant/toddlers in my care. Many of the changes included:

  • Reading stories to the infants through out the day
  • Providing indoor climbers
  • More crawling space
  • Playing music throughout the day
  • A variety of stimulating colors
  • Infant/toddler games and activities

This is just a small illustration of what a day was like in my infant/toddler program. In fact, many of the parents called me in the evenings, because their young toddlers were so busy at home.  They needed ideas to keep them stimulated at home. I suggested that they create an evening routine for their infant/toddlers.  

I have learned that once you stimulate the mind of an infant/toddler, they will want more stimulation. Moreover, it is the responsibility of the parent and the caregiver to provide them with a stimulating environment that promotes brain development.

Baby Brain Map

The Brain Map was adapted in 2006 by ZERO TO THREE from BrainWonders, a collaborative project between Boston University School of Medicine, Erikson Institute and ZERO TO THREE. The brain map is broken down into age groups from 0-36 months.

It also describes what you can do to enrich a very young child’s development  in the following areas:

  • Touch
  • Crying
  • Feeding
  • Hearing
  • Vision

You will be  amazed at the smallest things that you can do to stimulate a young child’s brain in all five of the above areas. Check out the Baby Brain Map on the Zero-to-Three website.

Thanks for all that you do for young children,

Shiketa

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Category:

Child Care Center, Curriculum, Home Daycare, Infant/Toddler Care, Program Planning, Quality Care

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