Infant/Toddler Approaches to Learning
These four Teacher Time episodes focus on supporting the four sub-domains of the ELOF Approaches to Learning domain with infants, toddlers, and their families.
Teaching Practices
Effective, nurturing, and responsive teaching practices and interactions are key for all learning in early childhood settings. They foster trust and emotional security; are communication and language rich; and promote critical thinking and problem-solving. They also support social, emotional, behavioral, and language development; provide supportive feedback for learning; and motivate continued effort. Teaching practices and interactions are responsive to and build on each child’s pattern of development and learning. They can be measured by the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS®) and other adult-child interaction tools. These observations may then be used to support professional development. Teaching practices also include how schedules and routines are carried out, how settings are managed, and how children’s challenging behaviors are addressed.
Resources for Socialization Activities
Learn ways supervisors can make sure home visitors have adequate resources to conduct socializations.
Supervising Socializations
Home visits are the main vehicle to deliver comprehensive services to young children and families. Explore how twice-monthly group socializations are also an important and required part of home-based services.
Individualizing Care for Infants and Toddlers
Learn about the “why,” “what,” and “how” of individualizing care for infants and toddlers. Find related Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), additional resources, and reflection questions to use with staff and other program leaders.
Why Is Individualizing Care Important for Infants and Toddlers?
Learn why individualizing care is important for infants and toddlers, including dual language learners and children with disabilities.
Program Strategies to Promote Father Engagement in Their Children’s Teaching and Learning
Explore this practical guide to learn about engaging fathers in their children’s development and learning in Head Start programs.
Understanding and Managing Young Children’s Behavior
Helping young children learn to manage their emotions and behavior requires training and support. Learn how to help staff understand and address children's behaviors and create supportive learning environments.
Techniques for Improving Instructional Support
Watch this three-part video series to learn about ways staff can improve instructional support and effective teaching practices. Find helpful resources to support this work.
Promoting Adult-Child Interactions that Support Higher-Order Thinking and Language Skills
Find resources to help education staff implement effective teaching practices, including interactions that facilitate concept development.
Mobile Tools for Home Visitors
Explore free mobile tools for home visitors from the Office of Head Start, including ELOF@HOME and Text4HomeVisitors. Discover effective practices and get text messages focusing on home-based topics and resources.