Infant Newsletter
April 2016
What is Curriculum for Infants?
Curriculum for infants is defined as their daily routines and experiences. It is not something you will find in a book, but rather something the child gains knowledge through hands on experiences. Their routine can start with a simple "hello" or "good bye" to the parents, diaper changes, feeding, rocking to sleep, playing and interacting with them. When an infant is playing with blocks, exploring sensory items, listening to music, hearing a story and spending time outdoors, they are learning. These are the times in which they are not only learning about themselves, but they are learning about the person caring for them. As teachers, we are there to help support each child in their development and learning. The activities that infants engage in all day long are what is helping them learn and understand life experiences.
Curriculum Components
As teachers, it is important to use every aspect to teach the children in your care. By using the Rainbow Photo Cards the children in your classroom will be able to focus on the picture that correlates with a real life object. Teachers should bring in the real life objects if possible, that correlates with the picture on the photo card for the infants to interact with. While it is still important to say the word on the card, the children are non verbal at this stage and will mainly learn from concentrating on the picture. Using these cards now and during their time at Rainbow Child Care Center, can help build emergent reading skills.
How to Build Attachment
Infants social-emotional development is very important when it comes to developing relationships with caregivers. John Bowlby's research suggests that infants become attached to the important people in their lives. It is important to establish a great relationship because a child will base all future relationships with others off the first ones it makes. Two types of attachment that we will focus on are secure attachments and insecure attachments.
- Secure attachment: this type of attachment develops when infants are cared for by caregivers who meet their needs consistently and lovingly. Children who develop a secure attachment to adults in their life are able to develop positive social skills.
- Insecure attachment: this type of attachment develops when the caregiver is unresponsive, inconsistent, or threatening. Children who are unable to form a secure attachment to adults can lack self control, and may also struggle with developing positive relationships with others.
The form of attachment is not based just on the child, but on the caregiver as well. It is important that the adults in the child's life provide them with a nurturing and positive relationship. We encourage all caregivers to form secure attachments with the children in their care.