Catalog Description

Hours: 54 lecture
Description: Applies current theory and research to the care and education of infants and toddlers in group settings. Examines essential policies, principles and practices that lead to quality care and developmentally appropriate curriculum for children birth to 36 months. (CSU)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Summarize the essential policies and practices of quality infant and toddler programs.
  • CSLO #2: Demonstrate strategies to promote healthy relationships in the care and education of infants and toddlers.
  • CSLO #3: Evaluate infant and toddler curriculum and environments based on observation, documentation and reflection.

Effective Term

Fall 2018

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

54

Outside of Class Hours

108

Total Student Learning Hours

162

Course Objectives

1. Observe, document and reflect on infant and toddler play and interactions to plan for care and learning.
2. Design appropriate play spaces and care routines that support infant and toddler care and learning.
3. Describe reciprocal communication techniques that promote brain development and healthy relationships.
4. Demonstrate practices that support and respect the diverse values and beliefs of families and caregivers.
5. Define the program policies of primary care, continuity of care, and small group size.
6. Identify delivery systems, licensing regulations, and quality indicators in infant and toddler care.
7. Describe practices that support the unique abilities of all children birth to 36 months.

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
      • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
        • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)

          Articulation Information

          • CSU Transferable

          Methods of Evaluation

          • Classroom Discussions
            • Example: Students will discuss caregiving techniques as observed in lab settings. Use Kahoots for "in the moment" assessment.
          • Essay Examinations
            • Example: Write an essay analyzing a design for a quality infant/toddler classroom. Essays will be evaluated on student's ability to apply concepts from the readings to justify design elements.
          • Objective Examinations
            • Example: 1. Students will be given a multiple choice test covering subject material. Sample Question: In a Toddler Option, the adult to child ratio is a. 4:1 b. 6:1 c. 8:1 Grading will be based on accuracy of course content.
          • Projects
            • Example: 1. Students will plan and implement a developmentally appropriate sensory activity for a group of infants or toddlers. Students will then critique the outcome(s) of the activity. Students will be evaluated based on a rubric developed by instructor and shared with students. 2. Students will design appropriate indoor and outdoor play spaces and care routines that support infant/toddler care and learning based on appropriate standards.

          Repeatable

          No

          Methods of Instruction

          • Lecture/Discussion
          • Distance Learning

          Lecture:

          1. Instructor facilitates a discussion on the students' own cultural beliefs regarding caregiving issues such as responding to crying, pacifiers, co-sleeping, and self-feeding. Students are expected to recite key components of each.
          2. Go to the PITC (Programs for Infant/Toddler Care) website and research PITC resources for publications, activities, PowerPoint presentations on responsive caregiving and caregiving routines as curriculum.

          Distance Learning

          1. Students will share their observations of adult-child interactions that support relationships in a group setting through Discussions in LMS.

          Typical Out of Class Assignments

          Reading Assignments

          1. Read material on "Working Intentionally in an Urban Setting" posted on the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services website, Head Start programs and be prepared to discuss in class. 2. Read the Zero to Three publication, Caring for Infants & Toddlers in Groups: A Developmentally Appropriate Practice, 2nd. ed. Write a summary of the critical observations and be prepared to discuss in class.

          Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

          1. Using Infant/Toddler Learning & Development Guidelines (California Department of Education), identify the indicators for quality programs and compare these to an observation experience at an infant/toddler site. 2. Go to the PITC (Programs for Infant & Toddler Care website and research Infant/Toddler Care Teacher Institutes webinar topics and choose one area to write a comparative analysis to practices you are observing in your site visits.

          Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

          1. Using the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale (ITERS), conduct an evaluation at an infant/toddler site, focusing on (1) Indoor space; (2) Staff-Child Interactions; (3) Staff Continuity; and (4) Opportunities for Professional Growth. 2. Plan and implement a developmentally appropriate sensory activity for a group of toddlers at a toddler site. Describe what happened during the activity, analyzing how the activity encouraged sensory exploration and how language development was fostered.

          Required Materials

          • Infants, Toddlers, and Caregivers
            • Author: Gonzales-Mena & Widmeyer Eyer
            • Publisher: McGraw Hill
            • Publication Date: 2014
            • Text Edition: 10th
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:
          • Infant/Toddler Learning & Development Foundations
            • Author: Ca. Dept. of Education
            • Publisher: CA. Dept. of Ed.
            • Publication Date: 2006
            • Text Edition: 1st
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:
          • Infant/Toddler Learning and Development: Program Guidelines
            • Author: CA. Dept. of Ed.
            • Publisher: CA. Dept. of Ed.
            • Publication Date: 2006
            • Text Edition: 1st
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:
          • Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale
            • Author: Thelma Harms, Debby Cryer, Richard M. Clifford, & Noreen Yazejian
            • Publisher: Teachers College Press
            • Publication Date: 2017
            • Text Edition: 3rd
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:

          Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.