All babies and toddlers need positive early learning experiences to foster their intellectual, social and emotional development and lay the foundation for later school success. Babies and toddlers living in high-risk environments need additional supports to promote their healthy growth and development. All child-care arrangements, including family, friend, neighbor, and family- and center-based child care have the potential to provide high-quality, individualized, responsive and stimulating experiences that occur within the context of strong relationships and which are imbedded in everyday routines.
In This Section
Child Care - More infants and toddlers than ever are spending some portion of their day with adults other than their parents — either a relative, neighbor, babysitter or child care professional. As parents welcome their baby home and plan to return to work, what are the qualities they should be looking for in a child care setting? What is considered a “high-quality” child care setting for infants and toddlers? How do you prepare your baby or toddler for the transition to child care?
Early Language and Literacy - Learning to read and write doesn’t start in kindergarten or first grade. Developing language and literacy skills begins at birth through everyday loving interactions—sharing books, telling stories, singing songs, and talking to one another. In this section you will learn how adults—parents, grandparents and teachers—play a very important role in preparing young children for future school success and in becoming self-confident and motivated learners.
Family, Friend & Neighbor Care - Caring for the children of family, friends or neighbors is incredibly important work. You are providing support that is so critical to helping both children and families thrive. Parents have likely asked you to care for their child because they trust you and because you may share similar beliefs, values and traditions that they feel are important for their child to experience while in child care.
School Readiness Interactive - a web-based, interactive learning tool designed to help parents and caregivers support their young children’s early learning. You'll find age-based information on how children develop the four key skills—language and literacy skills, thinking skills, self-confidence and self-control—that are critical to later school success.
