Offered by: UMass Boston through OpenCourseWare

Course Level: Intermediate

Estimated Time To Complete: 20+ Hours

This course will provide opportunity to use the Massachusetts Early Learning Guidelines to support your work with infants and toddlers. The first three years of life area a time of rapid brain development and learning.  This time is critically important for infants and toddlers as they develop foundations for learning.  The purpose of the Early Learning Guidelines (ELG) for Infants and Toddlers is to provide a comprehensive view of the development of infants and toddlers while documenting experiences that support this development. 

Course Objectives:

Students will:

1. Analyze current perceptions and practices and areas of growth regarding infant and toddler care and education.
2. Describe and discuss the content and format of the Early Learning Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers.
3. Identify children’s learning and interactions styles through observation and recording.     
4. Interpret data collected through child observations to determine learning experiences which support children’s unique strengths and characteristics including children with special needs, children with developmental delays, and dual language learners. 
5. Assess and articulate how the adult’s cultural competence impacts children’s development and learning.
6. Describe the influence of experience and interactions on brain development. 
7. Examine the importance of family engagement in the program and the impact on children’s development and learning.
8. Examine and articulate the influence of language and culture on development and learning.
9. Plan activities that support  the physical development of all children including those with special needs, physical limitations, or developmental delays.
10. Analyze current nutritional practices and identify activities to promote healthy eating while supporting children with special needs, delays, or dietary needs.
11. Identify and share community resources with peers and families. 
12. Integrate the ELG for Infants and Toddlers and child observation to design an action plan to support physical health and well-being of the children and families in the program.
13. Utilize knowledge learned to improve education and care offered to Infants and Toddlers.
14. Apply new knowledge into work with infants, toddlers, peers, and families. 
15. Assess professional development needs and conduct research to increase knowledge.
16. Create a continuum of learning that links early education and care to later success in school and in life by aligning the Early Learning Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers, Guidelines for Preschool Learning Experiences, and the Kindergarten Frameworks.

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