Principle 10 Be concerned about the quality of development in each stage. Don't rush infants and toddlers to reach developmental milestones.

An infant-toddler center treats all children as individuals. It never pushes development but instead watches its babies reach developmental milestones each on his or her own schedule. One child in the program was born prematurely, and another one has been determined to be developmentally delayed, so the idea of each on his or her own schedule has even more meaning in this program. The child with the development delays is being carefully monitored by an infant interventionist and has an individualized family service plan (IFSP) that has been carefully thought out. All the children see pediatricians regularly. Recently this program received a notice that its continued funding will depend on its ability to get all children in the program to developmental milestones on time, except for any children officially identified with special needs. The staff has been mandated to take training on a diagnosis and prescription method of using activities and exercises to bring all children closer in their abilities to reach the milestones. The staff and director are horrified. Their motto (which they got from Magda Gerber's work) is "in time; not on time."

1			What is your reaction to this situation?
2			Is there value in allowing children to develop at their own pace? Explain your answer.
3			Are there disadvantages to allowing children to develop at their own pace? If yes, what are they?
4			Do you think the activities and exercises make a difference? Explain your answer.
5			Do you have experience with being pushed to achieve? If yes, does your experience relate to infants and toddlers? If it does, how?