CHAPTER 1: Infants, Toddlers, and Caregiving

CHAPTER 1: Infants, Toddlers, and Caregiving

Chapter Preview

This chapter offers a historical, social, and empirical context for studying infants and toddlers.It provides the science for early childhood development, introduces the idea of evidence-based practice, and looks at infants and toddlers in the context of social policy.

Learning Objectives

After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

• Identify the parameters of the field of infants and toddlers and those who work in it.
• Describe the historical and social context for infants and toddlers.
• Discuss evidence-based practice and why it is important.
• Understand the science of early childhood development and how it informs practice.
• Identify professional and governmental organizations who work with and advocate for infants and toddlers.
• Discuss the issues related to the quality and cost of child care.
• Discuss the standards movement and how it applies to infants and toddlers.
• Apply the code of ethics to decision-making situations.

Key Terms and Concepts

Advocacy is the act of pleading or arguing in favor of something, such as a cause, an idea, or a policy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention focuses on promoting health and increasing quality of life by preventing and controlling injuries, diseases, and disabilities.

Code of Ethical Conduct defines the core values of the field and provides guidance to individuals working with young children when they find themselves having to make difficult decisions or deciding among conflicting obligations.

Communication involves the sending and receiving of information, ideas, feelings and messages, whereas language is a system of sounds, signs and symbols, and grammar that is used to communicate.

Descriptive studies used groups of infants and toddlers and focused on particular behaviors or sequences of behavior. Their goal was to describe development and document when particular behaviors happened and in what order they occurred.

Developmental psychologistsare doctoral-trained individuals who administer psychological tests and other assessments.

Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Childrenis the largest international professional organization focusing on improving educational outcomes for individuals with special needs including infants and toddlers with disabilities and children who are gifted and talented.

Early childhood educatorsprovide care and education for children from birth through age eight.

Early childhood special educators are early childhood educators with specialized knowledge about disabilities and early intervention.

Early interventionfocuses on infants and toddlers with disabilities.It promotes development and learning, supports families, and helps with service coordination with the goal of reducing or eliminating the need for special programs later.

Early learning standardsdescribe the expectations for learning and development for young children typically from birth to age five.

Evidence-based practice is a decision-making process that integrates the best available research evidence with family and professional wisdom and values.

National Association for the Education of Young Children is the world's largest organization working on behalf of young children with nearly 100,000 members.It is dedicated to improving the well-being of children, birth through age eight, with a particular focus on the quality of educational and developmental servicesThey promote professional growth and have also played a major role in the accreditation of early childhood programs and as well as two- and four-year college programs in early childhood.

Pediatricians are medical doctors who specialize in the medical treatment of children from birth through age 12.

Pediatric nurses are registered nurses who specialize in young children.They usually have additional training in using developmental screening tools, family counseling, child care, and early intervention.

Peer review is the process of giving research or writing to experts in the field for evaluation before it can be published.

Plasticity is the lifelong ability of the brain to reorganize neural pathways in response to new experiences.

Practice is the techniques, methods, and processes used when working with infants and toddlers.

Relationships form the core of social development and must be viewed as complex, transactional, and embedded in a social context.Children need to learn how to play with others and develop friendships.

Self-regulation is the ability of the child to control emotions and bodily functions.

Social policy is the government’s plan of action that influences the welfare of its citizens.

United States Census Bureau provides population statistics for the nation as a whole as well as states.It also provides information about issues such as poverty and types of households.

Zero to Threeis a multidisciplinary organization that focuses on the development of very young children.Their mission is to support the well-being and healthy development of infants and toddlers and their families through research, the dissemination of research, and advocacy.

Chapter Outline

Infants and Toddlers

Historic Views of Infants and Toddlers

Professional Organizations

Evidence-Based Practice

The Science of Early Childhood Development

Quality of Child Care

Foundations or Standards for Infants and Toddlers

Advocacy and Social Policy

Code of Ethical Conduct

Recommended Reading

Buysse, V., & Wesley, P. W. (Eds.). (2006).Evidence-based practice in the early childhood field.Washington, DC:Zero to Three.

National Research Council and Institute of Medicine (2000).From neurons to

neighborhoods:The science of early childhood development.Committee on integrating the science of early childhood development.In J. P. Shonkoff & D. A. Phillips (Eds.). Board on Children, Youth, and Families, Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education.Washington, DC: NationalAcademy Press.

Robinson, A., & Stark, D. R. (2002). Advocates in action:Making a difference for young children.Washington, DC:NAEYC.

Seefeldt, C. (2005).How to work with standards in the early childhood classroom. New

York:Teachers College Press.

Relevant Web Sites

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is dedicated to improving the well-being of all young children, with particular focus on the quality of educational and developmental services for all children from birth through age eight. Founded in 1926, NAEYC is the world’s largest organization working on behalf of young children with nearly 100,000 members; a national network of over 300 local, state, and regional Affiliates, and a growing global alliance of like-minded organizations.Navigate to NAEYC Position Statements page,which includes the Association’s position on issues related to early childhood education practice, policy, and/or professional development for which there are controversial or critical opinions.All position statements can be downloaded free of charge.

ZERO TO THREE:National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families is a national nonprofit multidisciplinary organization that advances its mission by informing, educating, and supporting adults who influence the lives of infants and toddlers.Its mission is to support the healthy development and well-being of infants, toddlers, and their families.The Zero to ThreeWebsite serves as the nation’s leading resource on the first three years of life to support the healthy development and well-being of infants, toddlers, and their families.In addition, there is a “Find It Fast” link that takes you directly to different topics under the Zero to ThreeWebsite.

The National Infant and Toddler Child Care Initiative at Zero to Three is a project of the Child Care Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services. The Initiative works collaboratively with Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) administrators and other partners in their efforts to move forward system initiatives to improve the quality and supply of infant and toddler child care.

The National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) supports early childhood education initiatives by providing objective, nonpartisan information based on research.Navigate to its mission statements on the Website for information on specific goals, history, recent development, and contact information of NIEER.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is responsible for federal programs that promote the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals, and communities.Navigate to the About ACFpage,which provides a detailed introduction to ACF’s mission, biographies, budget, fact sheets, functional statements, operating structure, key priorities, and regional offices.

The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), a nonprofit public policy and advocacy organization, has led successful efforts at the federal and state levels to improve the child support system and to establish child support as a major work support for low-wage families.The CLASP Website posts detailed analyses of proposed federal and state legislations, laws, and regulations, in-depth reports, policy briefs, fact sheets, testimony, and much more, organized conveniently by topic area.

Child Trends is a nonprofit organization that conducts social science research for those who serve children and youth.This Web site disseminates information about children and youth, their well-being, and their families to program providers, policy makers, researchers, educators, and media.

Early Head Start (EHS) is a federally funded community-based program for low-income families with infants and toddlers and pregnant women. Its mission is to promote healthy prenatal outcomes for pregnant women, enhance the development of very young children, and promote healthy family functioning.The Early Head Start National Resource Center at the Zero to ThreeWeb site is a storehouse of early childhood expertise that promotes the building of new knowledge and the sharing of information.

The Center for Evidence-Based Practice: Young Children with Challenging Behavior, located at the University of South Florida, aims at raising the awareness and implementation of positive, evidence-based practices and building an enhanced and more accessible database to support those practices.Navigate to the About Us page for information on the mission, values, definitions of evidence-based practice and challenging behavior, and primary partner organizations of this center.

The National Scientific Council on the Developing Child was created to extend the work that culminated in the publication of From Neurons to Neighborhoods. The ultimate goal of the Council is to enhance the early development of children through the design and implementation of effective public and private policies and programs.Based on its belief in the value of sound and accurate science as a foundation for enlightened action, the Council serves as a credible knowledge broker by translating research findings for multiple audiences and identifying evidence-based strategies to guide social policies, professional services, and parenting practices.

The National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) is a nonprofit organization that provides support through programs, workshops, and resources for African American children, their parents and communities in the areas of early health and education, health, elementary and secondary education, child welfare, and parenting. The Web site provides links to information about their local affiliates, conferences, and programs.