Early Social Interactions Build Connections in the Brain
Back-and-forth social interactions build babies' language skills and strengthen language regions in their brains.
Learning Environments
Learning environments are nurturing spaces that support the development of all young children. They include classrooms, play spaces, areas for caregiving routines, and outdoor areas. Learning environments are well-organized and managed settings. They offer developmentally appropriate schedules, lesson plans, and indoor and outdoor chances for choice, play, exploration, and experimentation. Learning environments include age-appropriate equipment, materials, and supplies. They integrate home cultures and are flexible to support the changing ages, interests, and characteristics of a group of children over time. In home-based programs, the learning environment includes the home, community, and group socialization spaces.
Creating Playful Learning Environments for Infants and Toddlers
Play is more than fun; it supports infant and toddler learning across domains. Discover strategies for effectively managing and scaffolding play and creating play-friendly activities and environments.
Playful Learning Environments for Infants and Toddlers
Play supports infants’ and toddlers’ development. Learn how to incorporate more playful learning activities into your program. Examine techniques for creating play-friendly environments in centers and at home.
Supportive Environments for Building Math Skills with Infants and Toddlers
Research on the Go podcasts summarize the latest research and discuss implications and practical applications. This episode addresses how to create environments to build math skills with infants and toddlers.
Supporting Outdoor Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers
Learn about benefits of outdoor time for infants and toddlers. Find suggestions for creating outdoor play spaces, safety considerations, and strategies and policies to support quality infant-toddler programming.
Use of Feeding Chairs with Trays in Head Start Infant/Toddler Programs
Selecting a type of feeding chair depends on the program option and children's ages and stages. This tip sheet guides decisions about which feeding chairs to use and how to use them appropriately.
Resources for Infant/Toddler Learning Environments
Infants and toddlers learn best in environments with caring and responsive adults, where they feel safe and free to explore and learn. Find ways to create an engaging environment for infants and toddlers.
Early Essentials Webisode 7: Environments
In this webisode, find out how environments impact adults and children. Discover ways to make environments welcoming learning spaces for infants, toddlers, and their families.
Outside Time for Infants and Toddlers
The News You Can Use supports teachers, home visitors, and parents in providing quality care for infants and toddlers. Learn about planning for time spent outside with infants and toddlers in your program.
Bringing the Outdoors into Infant and Toddler Environments
Use this News You Can Use to spark creative ideas for natural items that can be used inside with young children.