Download or read book Creating Child-centered Programs for Infants and Toddlers written by Eleanor Stokes Szanton and published by Childrens Resources International. This book was released on 1997 with total page 259 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In child-centered education programs, children construct their own knowledge from their experiences and interactions with the world around them, and caregivers foster children's growth and development by building on children's interests, needs, and strengths within a safe and caring environment. The Step by Step educational program developed a series of child-centered teaching manuals for caregivers and teachers in early childhood programs in Central and Eastern Europe. The series was initially intended for preschool but has been extended to include children from birth to age 10. This manual offers caregivers (birth to age 3) practical advice on how to: (1) support infants' and toddlers' emotional, social, cognitive, language, and physical development; (2) recognize and respond to each child's temperament and interests; (3) create an environment that is safe, healthy, and stimulating; and (4) work with families and other professionals to ensure a quality program. The manual's contents are: (1) "Part 1: Introduction," includes program rationale and philosophy; (2) "Part 2: The Research Base for the Methodology," includes infant and toddler development; (3) "Part 3: How Infants and Toddlers Learn," includes supporting emotional development; guiding social development; guiding cognitive development; guiding early language development; guiding physical development; using daily routines as learning experiences; observing, recording, and reporting on children's development; and families and caregivers together supporting infants and toddlers; (4) "Part 4: The Environment for Learning," includes ensuring a healthy environment, ensuring a safe environment, promoting good nutrition, and physical space: designing responsive environments for infants and toddlers; and (5) "Part 5: Program Staffing and Evaluation." Contains approximately 120 references. (EV)