Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock
()
or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Watch this video podcast that introduces viewers to using focused observation with infants and toddlers and gives them an opportunity to “try out” some of the techniques discussed.
Watch this video that explains how to observe babies and record what is seen in an objective way that will help staff understand the meaning of the child's behavior.
Read findings, analyses, assessments, and reports about the benefits of successful collaborations between Head Start programs, and child care providers.
For infants and toddlers, school readiness refers to their developing capacity to self-regulate, demonstrate curiosity, communicate effectively, and develop close, secure relationships. Good health and proper nutrition support this developing capacity. This happens within the context of nurturing, culturally responsive relationships with parents, caregivers, extended family, and community.
Use this resource with teachers, family child care providers, and home visitors who work with infants, toddlers, and their families.It offers information on observation as well as strategies to support and strengthen this important component of quality infant and toddler care.
Infants depend on their caregivers for food, warmth, and care, and for meeting such basic needs as eating, diapering, sleeping, and bonding. But all babies are unique. Some infants may settle easily and be capable of quickly soothing themselves.
Mobile infants are developing more control of their head, torso, arms, and legs, and are beginning to coordinate those movements. They sleep less and are more active during the day, eager to engage in everything around them.
The toddler years are a time when children are building skills in all areas. They remember what they learn and share it with others. They understand things more deeply, make choices, and engage with others in new ways. The changes in their physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development help them to build new skills that prepare them for school and later learning.
Listen to this audio conference, where faculty share strategies for making observation practical and meaningful to Early Head Start and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start staff’s work.
Explore the Early Essentials video series. Learn what Early Head Start, Migrant and Seasonal Head Start, and child care staff can do to support infant and toddler development and learning.
HeadStart.gov
official website of the Administration for Children and Families
