Play and Exploration

for Infants and

Toddlers
A Companion Booklet to Play and Exploration: Early
Learning Program Guide

saskatchewan.ca
 Saskatchewan Ministry of Education would like to extend a special
thank you to Stephan, age four, for his ladybug drawing.

Early Learning and Child Care Branch

Ministry of Education
Fall 2010

ISBN 978-1-926841-17-5

This publication can be found on the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education website.

www.education.gov.sk.ca/ELCC
 Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

TABLE OF CONTENTS
OVERVIEW OF THE PLAY AND EXPLORATION:
EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM GUIDE ...................................... i

INFANTS AND TODDLERS AS COMPETENT

LEARNERS ........................................................................................................ 2
Reflection and Decision Making .............................................................................. 5

HOW INFANTS AND TODDLERS LEARN ................................ 6

REFLECTING ON HOLISTIC LEARNING AND

DEVELOPMENT .............................................................................................. 7
Intellectual Development .................................................................................... 8
Language Development ................................................................................ 9
English as an Additional Language..............................................................10
Social-Emotional Development ..........................................................................11
Attachment ....................................................................................................12
Temperament..................................................................................................13
Physical Development..........................................................................................14
Spiritual Development ........................................................................................15
Reflection and Decision Making ........................................................................17

RELATIONSHIPS WITH INFANTS/TODDLERS AND

THEIR FAMILIES ..........................................................................................18

Role of the Educator............................................................................................18

Connections with Families ..................................................................................19
Reflection and Decision Making ........................................................................20

ENVIRONMENTS FOR INFANTS/TODDLERS ........................21

What About Invitations for Learning?..............................................................22
Reflection and Decision Making ........................................................................23
Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

KEY RECOMMENDED RESOURCES ............................................24

REFERENCES ..................................................................................................25

APPENDICES ....................................................................................................27
A. Considerations for Administrators and Families ........................................27
B. Slide Show Viewing Suggestions....................................................................28
 Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

OVERVIEW OF PLAY AND EXPLORATION: EARLY

LEARNING PROGRAM GUIDE
Play and Exploration: Early Learning Program Guide was distributed to the early
learning and child care sector in the spring of 2008. The Guide is a resource for
educators to promote high-quality, age-appropriate, play-based learning
experiences for young children: primarily three-, four- and five-year olds.

The Guide focuses on the vision, principles and foundational elements of quality
early childhood programs. The foundational elements include:
• Children as Competent Learners
• The Changing Role of the Educator
• How Young Children Learn
• Observation and Reflection - Critical Skills
• High Quality Programming - What does it look like?
This companion booklet, like Play and Exploration, features experiences and
photographs from early learning environments across Saskatchewan.

To obtain additional copies of Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers, Play
and Exploration: Early Learning Program Guide or to learn more about
workshops and resources, visit the Early Learning and Child Care section of the
Ministry of Education website www.education.gov.sk.ca/ELCC.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Special appreciation is extended to the staff and families of the many facilities
throughout the province who were willing to share their stories and photos so
others may benefit from their experiences.

i
 Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

How does this companion booklet, Play and Exploration for Infants and
Toddlers, connect to Play and Exploration: Early Learning Program Guide?

Play and Exploration: Early Learning Program Guide was written primarily for
three-, four- and five-year old children. The purpose of this companion booklet is
to support early childhood educators in the implementation of the vision with
children under three years of age. This document will assist educators to follow
to the Principles of Early Learning identified in the Guide, while taking into
account the unique developmental and safety needs of infants and toddlers.

A Note About Safety:

Safety and supervision of infants and toddlers is key to all experiences and
environments for these very young children. Some of the activities discussed in
this guide and the accompanying slide shows, while beneficial, require intense
supervision. Early childhood educators are trained in the deveopment and
observation of children. This knowledge combined with the relationships built
with the children, enables educators to plan, observe and reflect on learning
experiences which are safe for children but also allow for challenge, delight and
engagement in learning through play and exploration.

1
Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

INFANTS AND TODDLERS AS COMPETENT LEARNERS

“All children have The idea that preschoolers are competent learners is discussed in Play and
preparedness, Exploration: Early Learning Program Guide. Children are seen as capable and
potential, and active learners whose ideas and preferences are valued.
curiosity; they have
interest in relationship,
Educators are encouraged to examine their beliefs about the competency of young
in constructing their
own learning, and in children and reflect on how these beliefs affect the care and learning provided for
negotiating with infants and toddlers. If infants are thought to be helpless, then they will be treated
everything the as helpless and the learning opportunities and experiences provided will be limited.
environment brings to If young infants are appreciated as active learners who demonstrate various ways
them.” of knowing, doing, and learning through their multiple ways of communicating,
(Gandini, Etheredge & the stage is set for providing stimulating, active learning opportunities for young
Hill, Eds, 2008, p. 25) children.

At only three months of age, infants are capable of:

• Laughing
• Reaching out
• Having back and forth exchanges of cooing with adults
• Identifying voices and faces
• Using various cries to express different needs
• Anticipating routine activities
• Searching for sound
• Repeating activities that have produced interesting results
These powerful skills show that even early in life, infants are developing in many
ways.

Believing that young children are competent is a strength-based way of thinking

that will encourage children’s independence and competence as they grow, mature
and achieve new skills.

Observing closely to understand and respond to the cues of infants demonstrates

that they are worth listening to and have something worthy to tell us even if it is
not with words. For example, if an infant is gazing towards the window, an
educator could
respond by picking
up the child and
taking her to the
window to look
out. Further, the
educator could
model vocabulary
while describing
what is visible

2
through the
window.

Infants and Toddlers as Competent Learners

 Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

Additional examples of educator actions that represent the belief that infants
and toddlers are competent learners:

Providing real art

materials such as
paint and clay for
children to explore

• Providing safe spaces and opportunities for children to explore large muscle
movement
• Designing environments so that children can access materials independently
• Supplying materials that allow for the exploration of temperature, texture, “As they play, these
size and shape as well as materials that can be taken apart, opened and young explorers can be
closed, filled and dumped totally absorbed.
• Allowing children to clean up minor messes they may have created, such as Opening and shutting,
filling and dumping,
sweeping up sand spilled from the sand table and picking up and
• Giving children real tools such as spoons to feed themselves, even if it is dropping are endlessly
messy fascinating activities
• Honoring children’s preferences; for example, putting them down if they do that challenge infants’
not wish to be carried or allowing them to choose whether or not they would mobility and dexterity
like to paint at the same time as the other children as well as their ideas
about objects and what
• Allowing infants/toddlers to make choices about which books they would they can do.”
like to look at or have read to them
• Permitting children to decide when an activity is complete (Copple & Bredekamp,
• Giving full attention to infants during routine activities such as diaper 2009, p. 61)
changing to convey that they are valued and cherished
• Encouraging mobile children to walk to the diaper-changing area instead of
carrying them
• Encouraging toddlers to pull up their own pants after diaper changing
• Allowing toddlers to put on their own shoes
Thoughtful planning and patience allow children to develop independence and to
grow socially and emotionally in a safe and supervised environment.

Infants and Toddlers as Competent Learners 3

Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

QUALITY IN ACTION
After noticing that this child was interested in lacing activities, the educator
responded by showing the child two buckets of beads on the shelf.

The child examined the beads and selected a few rubber beads out of the bucket.
She put a bead on her string and watched it fall right off the end of the string. She
looked at the bead on the floor and at the string. She handed the string to the
educator who tied a knot in the end and returned it to the child.

The child examined the knot and then returned

her attention to the beads. She selected all the
rubber beads and began lacing the beads one
after another, carefully moving each bead
along the string as far as it would go. When
she had used all the rubber beads, she began
to use the plastic beads until the string was
full. She looked in the bucket to discover
there was one bead left.

She attempted to add the last bead to the string

but realized it would not fit. She then tried to
add it to the bottom of the string but realized
that would not work either. She put the bead
back in the bucket and happily examined her
string full of beads and gently swung it
around.

Viewing this toddler as a competent child, the educator is able to observe

many areas of competency demonstrated by the child during this activity:
• Ability to recognize the differences between the attributes of the beads
• Ability to make decisions
• Fine motor control to be able to lace the beads
• Hand-eye coordination required for lacing
• Ability to nonverbally request assistance from adults
(to tie the knot in the end)
• Perseverance in attempting various ways to add the final bead
• Acceptance that the last bead would not fit
• Ability to decide how to proceed when confronted with a challenge
• Self regulation of emotion in handling unexpected difficulties
• Sense of pride and accomplishment at the completion of her task
• Confidence in exploring and intereacting with the materials in various ways

4 Infants and Toddlers as Competent Learners

 Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

REFLECTION AND DECISION MAKING

Reflection
What do I believe about the competency of infants and toddlers? Do these beliefs
impact the learning opportunities I provide for children?

Action
How can I adjust my practice to treat infants and toddlers as competent learners?

Evaluation
How will it be evident in my practice that I view infants and toddlers as competent
learners? What will it:
• look like?
• sound like?
• feel like?

Infants and Toddlers as Competent Learners 5

Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

HOW INFANTS AND TODDLERS LEARN

“Babies are naturally Infants are in the sensory motor stage of development and therefore learn by
curious. They are exploring and receiving feedback from their entire body. As they develop control
driven to explore, to over their muscles they are able to gradually focus their learning.
learn, and to practice
new skills. They need
constant, safe
Infants and toddlers learn through all of their senses by touching, smelling,
opportunities to move hearing, seeing and tasting the items in their environment. They gain valuable
about and try things information about their world. This interaction with materials offers experience
for themselves -- with and knowledge upon which to build later experiences.
adults available to
steer them away from Recent brain development research has given us valuable information for working
danger and support with young children. We now know that while the physical brain is developed at
and celebrate their
successes.”
birth, the early experiences of children have a huge influence on brain
development. Synapses are connections that form between neurons in the brain.
(Johnson, 2010, p. xii) Exploring new materials allows new synapses to form. These connections in the
brain help various parts of the brain work together to process information more
effectively and to derive meaning from the sensory experiences in which children
take part. Repeated exposure to positive interactions and experiences builds
stronger connections that can be maintained through life.

Provide children with numerous opportunities to

touch, explore and manipulate (play with)
different materials from an early age.

6 How Infants and Toddlers Learn

 Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

REFLECTING ON HOLISTIC LEARNING

AND DEVELOPMENT
How can a play activity represent holistic learning and development? The
illustration below outlines how water play contributes to holistic learning.

Social-emotional Physical
Sharing this pleasurable Physical strength and
activity by playing flexibility are enhanced
alongside peers leads to through stretching and
positive peer interaction and the pouring. Hand eye coordination,
development of friendships. In fine motor skills and motor
addition, the sense of planning are also developed.
accomplishment and competence with Children learn about their bodies and
the activity builds self confidence. The what they are capable of.
exploration is supported by the
educators, who are nearby to ensure a
sense of security for the children. Activity:
Water Play
Contributes to
Holistic
Spiritual Learning Intellectual
The sensory pleasure of the water is Concepts are developed such as
enjoyable and connects with the natural wet/dry, float/sink, empty/full and
world. A sense of wonder and anticipation of what will occur.
curiosity is involved. Most of their Additional materials such as colour,
learning about the environment is bubbles or ice create additional
through the senses so this tactile learning opportunities.
experience allows the children Understanding and use of
to experience the world language develop through
through the most interactions and new
accessible learning vocabulary exposure.
style.

The educators’ role is to be mindful of all areas of development as they support

children in their play and plan for additional learning experiences.

Note: A blank copy of this resource can be found on page 59 of Play and
Exploration Early Learning Program Guide.

Reflecting on Holistic Learning and Development 7

Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

Intellectual Development
Research has confirmed that there is an astounding amount of development in
children's brains during the infant and toddler years. This development sets the
stage for later capabilities. Early childhood educators create learning experiences
that allow children to reach their maximum potential.

As infants and toddlers gradually explore their environments, they are observing
and learning cause and effect. “If I do this … then this … happens.” This
learning can be observed when infants discover their toes, learn to roll over, crawl,
balance and walk.

We observe children’s intellectual development as they learn that shaking a rattle

produces noise; something is not gone when out of sight (peek-a-boo); items can
change shape (doors open and close, lids come off and go back on); or that items
must be smaller than the hole in order to go inside (such as shape sorters or
stacking blocks). Children must have repeated and varied experiences with these
concepts in order to build understanding. Intentional planning by the educator
ensures materials and experiences are offered to children to enhance intellectual
development.

Observing and responding are key components to enhance learning. Consider this
example: An infant may accidentally kick a toy, which then makes a sound; the
child stops kicking and turns her head to listen; then she might kick out again to
see what happens.

To further learning, the educator could:

• Ensure the toy is reachable for the repeated kick attempts
• Show the infant the toy and how it makes noise
• Place the toy near the infant’s hand so he/she can reach out and explore the
item through tactile (touch) and visual means
• Provide additional materials with similar properties to explore
• Talk about the toy and pause to allow the infant an opportunity to respond
How can you encourage intellectual development in infants and toddlers?
• Provide a safe and stimulating environment for children to explore
• Objects to look at and reach for
• Objects that can be used in different ways
• Materials appealing to infants placed close to them but slightly out of
reach so that they must problem solve how to get them
• Toys and other objects with sound effects that are easily triggered by
infants’ reaching or kicking
• Materials for children to dump/fill and carry around
• Encourage children to imitate sounds and actions
• Play games that teach object permanence (peek-a-boo, hide and find a toy
under a blanket)

8 Reflecting on Holistic Learning and Development

 Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

• Establish consistent schedules and routines to allow infants and toddlers to

anticipate events
• Respond consistently to the children’s cues
• Expose infants and toddlers to language stimulation
Language Development
The development of communication and language from birth to age three is a
critical and amazing process. During this time the brain is preprogrammed to learn
language. The process of learning language involves nonverbal communication,
processing of sounds into meaningful messages and learning to reproduce those
sounds to create spoken language. This complex process goes quite smoothly for
most children, and it is critical to provide support and opportunities for the child’s
exploration and development of language during this time.

How can educators encourage language development in infants and toddlers?

• Talk with young children about what they are experiencing and/or what is in
the environment
• Take turns cooing and babbling with babies
• Make eye contact with babies – not all communication is verbal
• Look at books together and talk about the pictures
• Sing with babies, recite rhymes and share oral stories
• Listen to children and respond whether they are speaking real words or not.
Imitation of the babble they create can be a response.
• Enjoy genuine conversations with children during regular care routines such
as snack, meal time, diaper changing and settling for nap
• Provide toddlers with choices to encourage them to use words; for example,
“Would you like milk or water?”
• Model appropriate vocabulary rather than baby talk; for example, “blanket”
instead of “banky-wanky”
• Introduce new vocabulary to children through genuine and meaningful
experiences; for example, the word “hamster” could be introduced at the pet
store while you are showing a hamster to the children

Reflecting on Holistic Learning and Development 9

Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

English as an Additional Language

An effective learning It is now quite common in our society to have children in a child care setting
environment for the whose primary language is not English. Some may never have heard English and
young dual language their parents may have little to no proficiency with the English language.
learner is one in which
strategies are in place Caring for and interacting with dual language learners can prompt many questions
to intentionally and
continuously support
for educators: whether to be concerned if children are not using English according
bilingualism. Such to the norms of child development or whether it will be detrimental to a child’s
practice validates language development (set them behind) to learn more than one language.
children’s home
language. It also Children who have been exposed primarily to one language and then to another
helps them develop a may take longer to begin speaking. Especially during the initial months of
sense of self.” exposure to a new language, they may be quiet while they absorb the language
(Prieto, 2009, p. 52) and build confidence and competence. During this time educators monitor for
understanding and provide visual supports as needed to ensure comprehension.

Children have the capacity to learn more than one language at a time. In fact, the
brain is preprogrammed to learn language and young children can easily learn
more than one language if exposed to it regularly and encouraged to use their
language skills (Trister Dodge, 2006; Prieto, 2009).

Educators should encourage parents to continue to speak their home

language with the child. Pride in culture as well as the sense of belonging
through being able to communicate with family members and others
within their cultural community is important (Prieto, 2009).

Educators can learn and use a few words in the child’s home language to
encourage pride in language and culture.

How can you encourage children learning more than one language?
• Respect cultural diversity of families including their home language
• Reassure parents that continuing to speak their home language with the child
is beneficial and won’t harm the child’s learning of English
• Use interpreters if needed to communicate with parents to establish a
positive relationship
• Ask family members to teach you a simple song, rhyme, or words of
comfort in the home language that you can share with the children
• Record family members reading/telling a story and play it for the children
• Greet children using their home language
• Provide a language rich environment. Introduce vocabulary by verbally
labeling (naming) items in the environment that the child is interested in or
interacting with
• Be responsive to the children’s needs and interests

10 Reflecting on Holistic Learning and Development

 Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

Social-Emotional Development
Social skills are learned from birth. Infants need to experience positive “Through relationships
interactions and relationships in order to master self regulation and develop healthy with important adults
relationships later. The development of relationships and social skills is influenced in their lives, infants
and toddlers develop
by both interactions with and attachment to caregivers as well as by individual
mental health, or
temperaments. social emotional
wellness, which
Babies enter the world ready for relationships (Zero to Three, 2008). They are includes that ability to
interested in faces and people and are able to recognize voices. Young infants form satisfying
(birth to nine months) seek security. They rely on and trust the adults in their lives connections with
to make them comfortable, to keep them safe and to be predictable and responsive others, play,
communicate, learn
to their needs. Infants who are treated with respect and caring by an educator learn
and experience the full
that their needs will be met and thus are able to develop trust and emotional spectrum of human
security. emotions.”

These relationships with caring responsive adults allow the infant to express, Parklakian & Seibel,
process and learn to regulate their emotions as well as begin to explore their 2002, p. 1)
environment.

Once infants start to become mobile, they are able to use the security of the “Nurturing, sensitive
relationship with their educator as a base from which to explore. Infants rely on adult-child interaction
is crucial for the
the educator to provide interesting environments and activities to explore.
development of trust,
empathy, compassion,
As infants transition to toddlers, they are able to distance themselves more from generosity and a
their educator and begin to see themselves as separate from the adult. This helps conscience.”
children form their own identity and sense of self.
(Parlakian & Seibel,
2002, p. 7)

Reflecting on Holistic Learning and Development 11

Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

How can you encourage social development in infants and toddlers?

• Welcome all children and parents warmly so they feel accepted and that you
are truly glad to see them
• Identify emotions for infants and toddlers; for example, “You look sad. You
have tears on your face” or “You look angry”
• Model positive options for toddlers to express their feelings “You look
upset. You could say ‘I am angry’
• When children are upset, help them to relax or divert their attention through
comments such as, “Would you like to cuddle and read a book or play by
yourself at the light table for a little while?”
• Assist children in recognizing the feelings of others and model an
appropriate response; “Mikayla looks sad, I wonder if she would like her
blanket?”
• Praise children for positive choices such as comforting a friend
• Avoid discussing negative observations about children or their families in
front of them, even very young children who we may believe are too young
to understand
• Follow a predictable schedule that allows infants to feel safe and secure
• Situate non-mobile infants where they are able to view and interact with
other children
• Place mirrors at the child’s level to assist them in developing their identity
Attachment
“A healthy attachment
between a child and at Attachment is one of the most important factors to consider for infants and is
least one adult helps to believed to influence relationships with others later in life. Miller (2001) has
ensure that the neural highlighted numerous long term results linked to forming a healthy attachment
pathways within the
child’s brain become
with at least one adult early in life.
sculpted with the best • Higher self esteem and confidence
possible connections • Greater willingness to explore
made to handle stress,
reduce anxiety, and
• Better ability to deal with emotions
easily absorb new • Fewer behavioral problems in school
information and • Greater problem-solving abilities and coping skills
experiences.” • Better communication skills and higher literacy levels
(Miller, 2001)
• Better social skills and more positive relationships with other children
It is important to ensure that the attachments that form are positive. Healthy
relationships allow children to be more resilient and are a protective factor that
can reduce the impact of other unhealthy influences that the child may encounter.

12 Reflecting on Holistic Learning and Development

 Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

How can you promote healthy attachments for infants?

• Pair each child with a primary educator “Healthy attachments
• Practise responsive care by picking up crying children and being alert for to other significant
signs of hunger and tiredness care givers do not take
away from a child’s
• Provide calm and relaxed care
attachment to his or
• Ensure predictable pleasant routines for eating, sleeping and diapering her mother. In fact,
• Hold and communicate (speak/sing) to infants during bottle feeding the more healthy
• Respond to children’s attempts to communicate through a verbal response, attachments a child
positive physical contact or adjustment to the environment (e.g., adding has, the greater chance
music and materials for visual stimulation) the child has to
develop resilience --
• Talk to children about their experiences to help them learn to identify
the vital ability to cope
emotions and make sense of their world with life and all its ups
• Communicate and build relationships with the parents or primary care giver and downs.”
to benefit both children and families
(Miller, 2001)
Family members can sometimes become concerned if they think their child is
growing too attached to persons outside of the family. They may be concerned
that this close connection to someone else diminishes their role and that
consequently their child will not be as close to
them. It is reassuring to share with families that
educators are not trying to replace the role or
relationship of the primary care giver. Infants are
able to form bonds with many adults in their life.
The more healthy attachments a child forms with
caring adults, the better it is for the development
of the child.

Temperament

Every child is unique and special. Even very young infants have their own
personalities and likes and dislikes. Children can be easygoing or demanding.
One infant may be easily soothed and distracted while another demands
immediate attention. These differences influence how we respond and interact
with children, especially in group care situations.

Every individual has specific and personal tolerance levels that can vary based on
factors such as tiredness or hunger. One child may be content in an environment
with lots of activity and another child may be over stimulated and become upset
quickly by too much activity. Educators should be observant of these personal
preferences and tolerance levels and reflect on how they influence the care
provided.

Reflecting on Holistic Learning and Development 13

Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

Physical Development
“Babies learn through Babies learn about their bodies including how their body parts feel and how they
movement. As they move by exploring, rolling, climbing, falling and experiencing touch from others.
move their arms, legs
and other body parts
and encounter the
During the first few years of life, children experience amazing changes in both
world through body size and control over the movements of their body. In the first year children
touching and being typically double their body weight and learn to smile, hold up their head, roll over,
touched, babies sit independently, scoot and/or crawl, pull themselves into a standing position,
become more aware of walk with support and perhaps even take their first independent steps.
how their bodies move
and feel. They soon Children achieve these milestones at different rates, but they follow a predictable
discover that they can
change what they see,
pattern. Average ages for skill development provide an idea as to when the skills
hear, or feel through will likely be accomplished but these are guidelines and some variance is
their own actions -- expected. Educators are able to support development by providing appropriate
how delightful to kick, experiences based on developmental progress and ensure the safety and learning
see the mobile move of children as they pass these milestones.
and, be able to do it
again.” How can you encourage physical development in infants/toddlers?
(Copple & Bredekamp, • Provide stable and safe equipment for infants to pull themselves up to stand
2009, p. 55) and walk from one space to another
(such as mirrors with a pull up bar or
low shelving)
• Encourage infants to explore their
toes and rattles and to interact with
people and other aspects of their
environment
• Play music and encourage children to
dance and move
• Add props such as tunnels, pillows,
mats and boxes to explore under,
over, in, out and through
• Provide riding toys that can be pushed
with the feet to challenge children as they grow and acquire more advanced
large muscle skills
• Expose children to various types of materials to crawl or walk on indoors
and outdoors, as well as slopes or hills to climb up and roll down
• Provide soft balls to roll, throw and kick
• Model different body movements and encourage children to imitate
• Use dramatic play props (such as a horse, duck or frog) to encourage
children to move in different ways

14 Reflecting on Holistic Learning and Development

 Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

Spiritual Development
Spiritual development begins in infancy with feelings of security and a sense of
wonder. Feeling loved and cared for establishes a sense of worth and inner peace
even in very young children. This feeling of belonging and having a place in the
world is vital to healthy development.

Offering experiences that invoke curiosity and wonder

nourish spiritual development. Many of these experiences
for young children will be through sensory explorations
both indoors and outdoors in the natural world. During
outdoor time they can be encouraged to appreciate nature,
observe its beauty and wonder and treat it with respect.

We can see and hear positive spiritual development in the

smiles, laughs, giggles and content cooing of infants.
These behaviours are the evidence of being cherished.
Being valued assists children to build relationships where
they can value and care for other people.

How can you encourage spiritual development in infants/toddlers?

• Treat all children and their families with respect
• Encourage, support and show affection for the children in your care
• Build relationships and observe children closely so they are able to feel safe,
secure and loved
• Model an appreciation of the people, materials and experiences in your own
life
• Smile and laugh with children
• Slow down and appreciate the small moments with the children
• Create opportunities for children to observe and interact with living things.
For example, observe birds, butterflies and bugs; feel the bark of a tree;
crawl in the grass or play in autumn leaves
• Cloud watch with children
• Encourage sensory play: sand, dirt, water, snow, etc.

Reflecting on Holistic Learning and Development 15

Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

QUALITY IN ACTION
Often educators provide playdough as an
activity for young children. Sometimes
preschoolers are allowed to make the
playdough … but what about younger
children? Are infants and toddlers
capable of this task as well?

These early childhood educators believed

so. The educators pre-measured the
ingredients for making playdough and
gave them to the children as an
opportunity or an invitation for learning.

This authentic and holistic learning

activity allowed the children the
opportunity to combine the ingredients
and experiment with spoons to mix the
ingredients. Physical development was
enhanced through the mixing process;
intellectual development through the
observation of the changes that occur to
the ingredients when they were
combined; spiritual development through
the wonder of creating something; and social-emotional development through the
pride of accomplishment and positive interactions with others.

The educators also believed the children

were competent enough to clean up when
the activity was completed, further
advancing the children’s belief in
themselves as capable and competent.

16 Reflecting on Holistic Learning and Development

 Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

REFLECTION AND DECISION MAKING

Reflection
How am I currently considering holistic development in the opportunities I provide
to young children?

Action
How can I encourage myself and others to practice a holistic approach to caring
for children?

Evaluation
How will I know that I am successfully planning for the holistic development of
young children?

Reflecting on Holistic Learning and Development 17

Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

RELATIONSHIPS WITH INFANTS/TODDLERS AND

THEIR FAMILIES

Role of the Educator

“The one critical thing The educator’s role is to thoughtfully plan activities for infants and toddlers to
we can do to promote explore in an environment in which they feel safe and secure. Educators should
and foster resilience is
know not only what they are doing but also why they are doing it. To be effective
to make sure every
child grows up having in providing responsive and developmentally appropriate care and learning
a positive relationship environments for infants and toddlers, an educator must have a good
with a competent, understanding of child development and high quality practice.
caring care giver.
Making sure every The first responsibility that educators have is to know the children in their care.
child has a supportive, Observe the children and converse with their families. What do the children like
positive relationship
to do? How do they behave when hungry, tired or in new situations? What
with at least one adult
is the most powerful routines are they used to? How do they prefer to fall asleep? In which positions
protective factor we do they prefer to be held, fed and burped? What other preferences do they have?
can provide. The What other information may be relevant to providing quality care?
bottom-line conclusion
… is that resilience is By knowing the individual needs and preferences of children, the educator is able
about relationships.” to be responsive. When children are comfortable and their needs are met quickly,
(The Learning they will view the environment as predictable and safe. Children realize that the
Partnership, 2009, p.6) educator will respond appropriately. This positively affects the children’s sense of
security, safety and confidence.

Routines allow young children to feel comfortable and relaxed. Having a

predictable routine decreases anxiety, which can be caused by fear or insecurity of
what might happen next. It is important not to over schedule the children with too
many transitions. Following the children’s lead will assist in determining a
responsive and comfortable daily schedule.

“The key element to Young children thrive on repetition. They love to look at the same books, sing the
keep in mind when same songs and play the same games over and over again. Repeating these
caring for babies is experiences is critical for infants and toddlers to develop language skills and a
that relationships are sense of security. Introduce new material slowly and balance it with familiar
primary to infant
objects.
health, especially in the
early years of life.”
Care routines such as diapering and feeding should be pleasant and interactive so
(Kovach & children develop positive ideas about their bodies and themselves. This is a great
Da Ros-Voseles, 2008, opportunity for one-on-one interaction to convey to the child that he or she is
p. 23) valued and cherished.

18 Relationships with Infant/Toddlers and their Families

 Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

Connections with families

It is difficult for parents or primary caregivers to leave their infant or toddler in the
care of someone else. They may never have left their baby with anyone except
close family members or friends. Care providers must acknowledge that parents’
anxiety about seperation is a real issue in order to build a trusting relationship.

In order to understand what families believe and value about raising their children,
educators can initiate discussion to determine what is important to the family. Be
sure to ask questions that clarify information and avoid making assumptions.
Understanding the diverse perspectives of the families ensures that family values
are respected and accomodated as appropriate and promotes a team approach to
caregiving that benefits the children.

How can you develop relationships with families?

• Ensure children have one primary educator to enhance
attachment to the educator and build a relationship with
the families
• Follow an open door policy so parents and families
always feel welcome
• Prepare a welcome area with comfortable seating, natural
elements, reference materials and documentations of the
children’s learning activities for families to enjoy
• Greet each child and parent warmly by name upon arrival
each day
• Allow time daily for the child to transition into the
environment and for families to share any relevant
information upon arrival
• Invite families into the facility by providing many
opportunities for family involvement. Families may
attend special events,e.g. (“Meet Your Child’s Friends Day”), share story time
or an art activity;demonstrate a special talent; assist on a field trip or a walk
to the park; or meet or join the board of directors
• Research and ask parents about the cultural practices of families in order to
better understand their beliefs and the implications for care of their children
• Show respect for family cultures and beliefs by reflecting them in the child
care environment, including a display of photos of the children’s families
• Display documentation of children’s learning experiences and new
accomplishments to share with families
• Share photos of children engaged in play with the parents so they can feel
informed and see that their children are settled in the environment
• Use various methods of communication such as telephone calls, scheduled
meetings, e-mail updates and newsletters in addition to daily exchanges
• Record daily care information such as diapering and eating to ensure families
receive necessary information even if there is a staff change during the day

19
• Develop a transition plan for new children with the family

Relationships with Infant/Toddlers and their Families

Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

REFLECTION AND DECISION MAKING

Reflection
How do I partner with parents/families? What opportunities for family
involvement, sharing and relationship building do I provide in the early learning
environment?

Action
What will I do to enhance family partnerships? How will the early learning
environment reflect this?

Evaluation
How will I know I have improved family partnerships?

20 Relationships with Infant/Toddlers and their Families

 Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

ENVIRONMENTS FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS

Environments should be relaxed, safe and comfortable. A home-like feel is ideal “The spaces that
so children and families feel welcome and content. Prepare spaces for children to teachers create for
be quiet, cozy and cuddled by educators as well as spaces to actively explore, build children seem to hold
enduring memories for
and create.
them that have a
powerful influence on
Environments for infants/toddlers need to be a mix of novel materials and what they will value
activities for exploration and stimulation as well as familiar and predictable later in life. It is
materials and activities for comfort and security. important, therefore,
that teachers think
Very young infants, who are not yet mobile, rely on the educator to bring items to carefully about their
them. As infants become mobile, the educator can intentionally place materials own values and how
they affect the
nearby to encourage them to move to interact with the materials.
decisions they make
about the arrangement
Infants spend a lot of time on the floor, which must be clean and comfortable. of space, equipment,
Display interesting things to look at, such as photos at the child’s level. For and materials in the
infants and toddlers the child’s level means very low on the wall or even on the classroom.”
floor. Place pictures or work that children have created under plexi-glass and
(Fraser, 2006, p. 102)
allow children to walk, crawl, roll, or lie on the item to view the image.

Infants also spend a lot of time looking up at the ceiling. What impact does this
have on environment design? Are there interesting things to look up at in areas
where children are lying down? Would it be possible to have something
interesting for children to look up at during diapering routines?

Mirrors provide opportunities for children to see themselves in the reflection and
to observe how their bodies look and move. Observing their bodies develops
children’s self confidence and awareness. Intentional placement of materials is an
important determining factor of their effectiveness. For example, where should
mirrors be placed in an infant or toddler environment for the most effective impact
on learning?

Toddlers require room to move and explore. They are now capable of walking,
running, jumping and climbing and want to use these skills to explore their world.
Their fine motor skills are advancing as well as their social development, which
allows for new challenges and experiences. They enjoy more imaginative play and
more complex interactions with peers so their environment should provide
opportunities to engage in these types of activities.

See the accompanying slide shows for more information regarding learning
environments for infants and toddlers.

Environments for Infants and Toddlers 21

Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

What About Invitations for Learning?

“What a difference it Providing invitations for infants and toddlers does not need to be intimidating.
makes in the toddlers’ Invitations provide an appealing way to present an opportunity for children to
behaviour when these explore materials. An educator usually plans an invitation in response to
types of things are set
children’s interests or to extend previous learning. An ‘invitation to learning’ may
out for them.
Normally we also be prepared to introduce new concepts, words or skills. An educator may
experience some want to use an invitation to introduce a new book by combining it with related
running around and materials.
throwing stuff, but
these have kept their Infant invitations may include:
interest for so long, the
day goes by so • A paddling pool with warm water and some sink/float materials
quickly!!!! I will • A large box to climb in and out of
certainly continue to • A blanket on the floor with materials hanging above it so babies can touch
set up frequent and move them
invitations."
• Blocks with various textures
(a Saskatchewan early • Balls of various sizes and textures
childhood educator,
Toddler invitations may include:
2010)
• Balls and clear tubing
• Pussy willows, pine cones and cattails
• Water table with some clear containers to pour and scoop with
• Selection of blocks and a book with pictures of buildings
• Rubber boots and a puddle
• Clear flexible tubing and funnels attached to the fence
A caution when providing invitations for very young children is that they learn
through oral experiences by putting objects in their mouth. For this reason, it is
necessary to ensure that children are carefully supervised and that materials are
nontoxic and are not choking hazards. In addition, care should always be taken
when children are in proximity of water.

See the accompanying slide shows for more information regarding infant and
toddler invitations for learning.

22 Environments for Infants and Toddlers

 Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

REFLECTION AND DECISION MAKING

Reflection
What does the environment look like from the perspective of an infant or toddler?
(Get down on the floor and look around.) What feelings come to mind based on
these observations?

Action
What changes can I make to the environment to support active learning for infants
and toddlers?

Evaluation
How will I know that the learning environment is effective? How will I know that
the environment supports engaging learning experiences for infants and toddlers?

Environments for Infants and Toddlers 23

Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

KEY RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Attachment Network of Manitoba. (2007). Listening to baby. [DVD] Manitoba:
Attachment Network.

Greenman, J., Stonehouse, A., & Schweikert, G. (2008). Primetimes (2nd ed.):
A handbook for excellence in infant and toddler programs. St. Paul, MN:
Redleaf Press.

Harvest Resources. (2006). Visionary infant and toddler program environments.

[CD slideshow].

Isbell, R., & Isbell, K. (2003). The complete learning spaces book for infants and
toddlers. Beltsville, MD: Gryphon House.

Kovach, B., & Da Ros-Voseles, D. (2008). Being with babies: Understanding and
responding to the infants in your care. Beltsville, MD: Gryphon House.

Post, J., & Hohmann, M. (2000). Tender care and early learning: Supporting
infants and toddlers in child care settings. Ypsilanti, MI: High Scope.

Smith, D., & Goldhaber, J. (2004). Poking, pinching & pretending: Documenting
toddlers’ explorations with clay. St. Paul, MN: Redleaf Press.

Trister Dodge, D., Rudick, S., & Berke, K. (2006). The creative curriculum for
infants, toddlers & twos (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: Teaching Strategies.

Zero to Three. (2002). Building strong foundations: Practical guidance for

promoting the social emotional development of infants and toddlers. Washington,
DC: Zero to Three.

Zero to Three. (2008). Caring for infants & toddlers in groups: Developmentally
appropriate practice (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: Zero to Three.
www.zerotothree.org

For Leaders
Carter, M., & Curtis, D. (2010). The visionary director (2nd ed.): A handbook for
dreaming, organizing and improvising in your center. St. Paul, MN: Redleaf
Press.

Parlakian, R., & Seibel, N. (2001). Being in charge: Reflective leadership in

infant/family programs. Washington, DC: Zero to Three.

24 Key Recommended Resources

 Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

REFERENCES
Brown, S. (2009). Play: How it shapes the brain, opens the imagination and
invigorates the soul. New York, NY: Avery.

Copple, C., & Bredekamp, S. (Eds.). (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice

in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. (3rd ed.).
Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Eliot, L. (1999). What’s going on in there? How the brain and mind develop in the
first five years of life. New York, NY: Bantam Books.

Fraser, S. (2006). Authentic childhood: Experiencing Reggio Emilia in the

classroom (2nd ed.). Toronto, ON: Nelson, Thomson Canada.

Gandini, L., Etheredge, S., & Hill, L. (Eds.). (2008). Insights and inspirations from
Reggio Emilia. Worcester, MA: Davis Publications.

Harvest Resources. (1992). Time with toddlers [DVD]. PO Box 1086,

Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.

Harvest Resources. (2006). Visionary infant and toddler program environments

[Powerpoint]. PO Box 1086, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.

High/Scope UK. (1999). The High/Scope approach for under threes [DVD].
Available from High/Scope Press, 600 North River Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48198-
2898.

Johnson, J. (2010). Babies in the rain: Promoting play, exploration, and discovery
with infants and toddlers. St. Paul, MN: Redleaf Press.

Kovach, B., & Da Ros-Voseles, D. (2008). Being with babies: Understanding and
responding to the infants in your care. Beltsville, MD: Gryphon House.

Learning Partnership. (2009). The quality of public education in Canada. (5)

Retrieved from http://www.thelearningpartnership.ca

Miller, R. (2001). Nourish, nurture, neurodevelopment: Neurodevelopment

research implications for care giver practice. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Child Care
Federation/Canadian Institute of Child Health.

National Association for the Education of Young Children. Infant curriculum:

Great expectations #847 [DVD]. Washington, DC: NAEYC.

Parlakian, R., & Seibel, N. (2002). Building strong foundations: Practical

guidance for promoting the social emotional development of infants and toddlers.
Washington, DC: Zero to Three.

References 25
Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

Post, J., & Hohmann, M. (2000). Tender care and early learning: Supporting
infants and toddlers in child care settings. Ypsilanti, MI: High Scope.

Prieto, V. (2009). One language, two languages, three languages … more? Young
Children, January, 52-53. NAEYC.

Raikes, H., & Pope Edwards, C. (2009). Extending the dance in infant & toddler
caregiving. Baltimore, MD: Paul Brookes Publishing, NAEYC.

Saskatchewan Ministry of Education. (2008). Play and exploration: Early

learning program guide. Regina: Author.

Trister Dodge, D., Rudick, S., & Berke, K. (2006). The creative curriculum for
infants, toddlers & twos (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: Teaching Strategies.

Zero to Three. (2008). Caring for infants & toddlers in groups: Developmentally
appropriate practice (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: Zero to Three.

26 References
 Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

APPENDIX A: CONSIDERATIONS FOR ADMINISTRATORS AND

FAMILIES OF INFANT/TODDLER PROGRAMS
Key Practice Applaud Question
Respect for children • Educator uses change table for all diaper • Educator changes wet diapers while children are
during care routines changes standing to save time
• Children are cleaned and creams are applied as • Children are only cleaned when absolutely
Diapering needed to ensure comfort and health necessary (bowel movement)
• Conversations occur with children making the • Educator does not converse with children during
daily care routine a pleasant experience diapering routines
Feeding • Infants are held during bottle feedings • Children are shamed for toileting accidents
• Educators speak or sing comfortingly to infants • Infants are laid on the floor and/or bottles are
as they eat propped
• Educator discontinues feeding children who turn • Educator continues to feed children who have
their heads away indicated they are no longer hungry
• Children are provided healthy meals and snacks • Educators provide unhealthy meals or snacks
such as fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, such as cheezies, candy, jello, cake, cookies
milk
Respect for families • Children and families are welcomed on arrival • Educators are busy and only acknowledge the
every day children when parents bring them to the educator
Responsive care • Educators respond to crying children quickly • Children are left to cry it out
Persistent crying • Educators ensure basic needs have been met and • Caregivers do not provide basic needs until the
then comfort children until they calm down scheduled time, making children wait for food or
• Educators are supportive and assist children to diaper changes
learn to calm themselves as appropriate • Children are placed in a crib or playpen and left
to figure out how to calm themselves
Attention to children • Caregiver is focused on the children • Caregiver is focused on talking with other staff
Relationships • Children have one primary care giver who • Caregiver is not consistent or turnover is
Consistent caregiver knows them and their family well frequent
• Extra staffing is temporarily provided to allow • Facility has no plan to help children become
Transition to care the care giver to observe and bond with children comfortable in the new environment and bond
new to the facility and meet with parents/family with caregiver
Environment • Photos of the children engaged in various • The children are not able to see themselves or
Displays activities and family photos are evident in the their families in photos in the environment
environment
• Art work on display is unique and created by the • Displayed materials are commercially produced
children or crafts are all identical
• Display materials reflect the recent interests and • Displays are not current
activities of the children
Safety • Care givers ensure safety hazards are quickly • Caregivers do not observe potential hazards
rectified (e.g., plug ins capped)

Accessibility of • Child sized shelving, seating and other materials • Feet do not touch the floor when sitting in chair
materials • Children can safely access materials • Children are required to ask for materials
independently
Learning experiences • Children are encouraged to actively explore their • Children spend a significant amount of time in a
environment and materials in the environment crib, playpen, swing or other restrictive
equipment

A more complete chart of appropriate practices is available in the resource book Developmentally

27
Appropriate Practice, pp. 76 - 90 for infants and pp. 90 - 107 for toddlers.

Appendix A
Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

APPENDIX B: SLIDE SHOW VIEWING

SUGGESTIONS

Who may be interested in viewing the slide shows?

The slide shows may be of interest to a variety of individuals or groups that
may include:
• Educators who care for infants and toddlers
• Family child care home providers
• Educators who care for preschoolers (the ideas can be adapted)
• Child care directors
• Board members
• Private care providers
• Parents
• Community organizations who work with child care and/or infants and
toddlers
• KidsFirst
• Speech language pathologists
• Occupational or physical therapists
• Early childhood psychologists
• Early Childhood Intervention Programs (ECIP)
• Others who are interested in providing high quality care for infants and
toddlers in Saskatchewan

Ways to Share the Slide shows

Educators:
• View a slide show during planning time, then discuss with colleagues
• Take turns leading a discussion including why the topic is important and the
relevance to site (e.g., physical, social development or the role of the
educator)
• Present information highlighting items of importance and relevance to the
board of directors
• Share ideas and develop a plan with the director and board for changes
• Use the chart provided to record ideas while viewing the slideshow
Child Care Directors
• Dedicate a staff meeting to view a slide show and engage in a discussion
• Discuss particular areas with individual staff based on their interests
• View and/or have previewed the slide shows and discuss at a regional
director’s meeting
• Discuss plans for implementation with your early learning and child care
consultant
• View slide shows several times to focus on different areas or perspectives

28
(e.g., first viewing focus on environment; a month later view again to focus
on role of the educator
Appendix B
 Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

• Present information highlighting items of importance and relevance to the

board of directors
• Use the chart provided to record some of your ideas while you are viewing
the slide show
Board of Directors
• View slide shows either during a meeting or independently prior to a
meeting and discuss what supports the board could provide to assist the
facility in its journey towards best practice
• View a slide show at each meeting over the next year and engage in a
discussion on how the information applies to the centre
• Hold a special meeting with staff to collaboratively plan both short and long
term
• View the slide shows, then observe in the centre and recognize and comment
on positive aspects you observe
• Use a portion of a slide show at your Annual General Meeting or other
gathering to explain changes you are making to the program to stay current
with best practices
• Use the chart provided to record ideas while viewing the slideshow

Guiding Questions for Slide show Discussions

1. What did you find interesting? Which ideas did you find most exciting?
2. How can we provide a more holistic learning program for the children?
3. Which ideas would you like to implement in the work you do?
4. What changes would you like to make in the environment?
5. What changes would you like to make in the program and/or interactions
with the children?
6. What questions do you have? With whom can you discuss your questions?
7. What supports/resources are needed as you explore developing these ideas
(e.g., time to collaborate with other staff, further training, reading or site
visit)?

Things we are already doing: Things I would like to try:

Appendix B 29
Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

30 Appendix