Relationships, Interactions, and the Three Rs

• Relationships are a cornerstone of infant-toddler care and education. They come from interactions, especially three-R interactions—that is, respectful, responsive, and reciprocal interactions.
• Caregiving routines are opportunities for three-R interactions as shown in the opening diapering scenario.

Ten Principles Based on a Philosophy of Respect

• Key words or phrases for the principles are: (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, and (10) quality of development.

Curriculum and Developmentally Appropriate Practice

• The word curriculum, as it applies to infants and toddlers, can be defined as a course of study, a framework for practice, or a plan for learning that is all-inclusive and centers on connections and relationships.
• Curriculum in this book relates to NAEYC's developmentally appropriate practice, which is based on three bases of knowledge: child development principles, individual differences, and cultural differences.
• The 10 principles of respectful care fit developmentally appropriate practice and can also be looked at in light of cultural differences.