Relationships, Interactions, and the Three Rs

• Relationship is a key word in infant-toddler care, and relationships grow from interactions (another key word).
  
  
• The three Rs of infant-toddler care relate to the type of interactions that grow into relationships. The interactions are respectful, responsive, and reciprocal.
  
  
• Examples of the caregiver's respect for Caitlin in the first scene were:
  
  
  • Approaching her from the front so Caitlin could see the caregiver coming
    
    
  • Slowing her pace
    
    
  • Making contact by initiating a conversation before checking the diaper
    
    
  • Talking about what she was going to do before she did it, and giving Caitlin time to respond
    

Ten Principles Based on a Philosophy of Respect

• Key words or phrases for the 10 principles could be: (1) involvement, (2) quality time, (3) communication, (4) total person, (5) respect, (6) honest feelings, (7) modeling behavior, (8) problems as opportunities, (9) security and trust, (10) quality of development.
  

Exploring the Word Curriculum

• The word curriculum, as it applies to infants and toddlers, can be defined as a course of study that is less like a class and more like a meandering river. Curriculum is also a framework for practice, or a plan for learning that is all inclusive and centers on connections and relationships.
  
  
• Adult roles in infant-toddler curriculum implementation are as partners, facilitators, supporters, and environmental planners.
  

Developmentally Appropriate Practice

• The guidelines for making decisions about developmentally appropriate practice tell early childhood professionals to consider three knowledge bases:
  
  
  • Child development principles and research
    
    
  • Individually appropriate practice, or what is known about individual differences
    
    
  • Culturally appropriate practice, or what is known about particular group differences