Take some time to fully explore at some Demonstration Sites (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. through the Program for Infant/Toddler caregivers (PITC)Make sure you view developmentally appropriate spaces for infants and toddlers.

This week we are focused on the intentional use of space, equipment, and materials to support children’s development and learning in infant/toddler care programs.

A number of factors need to be considered to create a safe and healthy environment for infants and toddlers, including:

• Nutrition
• Feeding infants
• Feeding toddlers

The learning environment is made up of a play area plus spaces for caregiving activities such as:

• Eating
• Sleeping
• Diapering
• Toileting

Developmental appropriateness is important for safety reasons but also to facilitate learning.

• What is appropriate for infants is different from what is appropriate for toddlers.
• Mixed-age groups in family child care homes provide a special set of challenges for making the environment work for everybody.
• The toys and materials that are developmentally appropriate vary for each age group.
• What should be in the play environment?

Assessment of any infant toddler environment is an ongoing process and requires taking into consideration the factors already mentioned plus looking at five dimensions and four additional considerations, including:

• Soft-hard dimension
• Intrusion-seclusion dimension
• High mobility-low mobility dimension
• Open-closed dimension
• Simple-complex dimension
• Scale
• Aesthetics
• Acoustics
• Order
  • Explain how each feature of the environment i.e . high mobility-low mobility, aesthetics, scale, order, etc listed in the last section of the introduction above influences the child’s behavior. (be specific; give an example of each of the 9 features that is about the environment...i.e. scale is about size not assessment.
    
    2. Think about a place where you don’t feel comfortable. What about this environment would need to change for you to feel good in it? How can you apply what you know about yourself to help you understand an infant or toddler’s discomfort in an environment?
    
    3. Think about the place you are most comfortable and happy in. What are the characteristics of this place? What can you learn from your personal experience that can help you set up a comfortable, happy environment for infants and toddlers?
    
    4. List 10 appropriate toys for infants and toddlers for inside and outside play and the appropriate I/T age range for each toy.
    
    

Assignment:

Rubric

Some Rubric

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Criteria	Ratings	Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcomespecific examples of all 9 features of the I/T environment	Full Marks 18.0 pts No Marks 0.0 pts	18.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeQuestions answered in paragraph form Reflection answers reflect analysis of the concepts being explored. Must have text support and reflect class content.	Full Marks 9.0 pts No Marks 0.0 pts	9.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDescription of criterion	Full Marks 3.0 pts No Marks 0.0 pts	3.0 pts
Total Points: 30.0