Infants and Toddlers

The first years are an amazing period of time. Between birth and age three, babies learn to roll, crawl, stand, walk, and run. They learn to talk, rhyme, and sing. It is important to remember that infants and toddlers develop on their own timetable. Some children will develop certain skills (like walking or talking) faster or slower than others. These differences are normal and it is important to support each child's development based on their unique strengths, challenges, and needs.

The care that infants and toddlers receive and their experiences during the first three years of life have a tremendous influence on the way that they grow and develop. Loving and nurturing relationships are important for young children as they begin to develop trust in their parents and caregivers that gives them the confidence to explore the world around them.

In addition to establishing trusting relationships with infants and toddlers, other major elements in caring for them include (but are not limited to):

Understanding areas of infant/toddler development—social/emotional, language, cognitive, and physical
Ensuring the health and safety of children
Providing responsive, caring environments
Understanding the importance of developmentally appropriate curricula and assessment for infants and toddlers
Understanding how culture, family, and individual differences influence children's development
Understanding the important role of social/emotional development for infants/toddlers
Understanding the importance of supporting infants and toddlers with disabilities or special needs
For caregivers/teachers—understanding the importance of building relationships with families
Understanding the critical role of research and theory in establishing a foundation for working with infants and toddlers

For more information about the development of infants and toddlers, go to: