Archives: Lessons

This video lesson will give you some ideas for setting up a Music and Movement area for infants and toddlers in your space.

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Fine motor manipulatives help develop curiosity, eye-hand coordination, problem solving and language.  In this lesson you will learn about selecting and setting up these in your classroom.

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This video lesson focuses on the organization and planning of the library/cozy corner area and its impact on language and literacy.

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Let’s Check Your Knowledge with a brief quiz on cozy corners.

In this lesson, we will look at specific areas of the room, where they are situated, and how they can help us meet the needs of the children.

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This video lesson builds on the last by talking about the importance of the way your classroom is set up.

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In this video, you will learn more about how sketching your environment can help you make improvements in your classroom.

Download the classroom sketch worksheet (also available in your course handout) to sketch your current classroom.

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This video looks at designing the space to meet the skill levels, interests and individual characteristics of infants and toddlers.

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This course we will address these questions:

1. How do we arrange an effective learning environment?
2. What materials are needed in infant and toddler classrooms?
3. How can we plan active learning for this age group?

After you have finished watching the video, click the Complete Lesson button below to continue to the next lesson.

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Welcome to Learnscaping: Creating Appropriate Environments for Infants and Toddlers!

Course materials

Supplemental materials (click to download)

• Sample Daily Schedule for Infants and Toddlers
• Developmental Characteristics
• Suggested Toys and Materials

This module will save your work as you complete each lesson. If you need to log off, Learnscaping will pick back up where you left off.

To begin the course, click Play on the video below.

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Now, let’s see what you already know about creating appropriate environments. Continue the course with by taking the Check your Knowledge: Learnscaping IT Pre-Test.

Continuing education credit is awarded for the completion of these modules if a Learning Activity Report form is completed. Here  is the link to the Certification Application and Forms webpage.

• • Learning Activity Report (LAR)

Now, complete a brief evaluation of the course. After the evaluation has been completed,  your will be able to view and download your certificate. Please print or download a copy of the certificate and include it with your certification renewal documentation.

See course handout, pages 4-7.

Resources:

• Results of the 2015 NAEP Reading: https://education.ky.gov/AA/Reports/Pages/NAEP.aspx
• NAEYC Developmentally Appropriate Practice https://www.naeyc.org/DAP
• Effective DAP Teaching Strategies: https://www.naeyc.org/dap/10-effective-dap-teaching-strategies
• KY Academic Standards for Reading and Writing: https://education.ky.gov/curriculum/standards/kyacadstand/Documents/Kentucky_Academic_Standards_Reading_and_Writing.pdf

Reflection Activity

The standards for Primary years are centered around the following areas:

• Reading and Literature
• Writing and Research
• Speaking and Listening
• Language Development

Take a look at the common core standards and the expectations listed for Kindergarten. Remember these expectations are the focus of instruction for the school year and not what children need to start Kindergarten.  Consider some developmentally appropriate activities that you can include in your storytimes with young children to help build a strong foundation for later learning of these skills.  Write these down so that you can implement later in practice. Note in your handout, page 7.

You’ve almost made it to the end! In this section we will review

• Creating an appropriate environment
• Choosing appropriate materials
• Communicating with families
• Taking care of YOU

Routines and transitions are an important part of each day.  The information presented in this lesson will help you make these times work better for you and the children.

In this lesson, we will discuss

• Routines
• Tips for smooth Routines
• Personal Care Routines
• Tips for Successful Transitions

Set the Stage for Learning

The kind of experiences needed to facilitate children’s development do not “just happen.”  YOU set the stage and direct the learning and development when you:

• Maintain an appropriate daily schedule
• Provide appropriate learning activities and play experiences
• View routines and transitions as times for learning, and
• Maintain an appropriate environment that facilitates learning.

Positive guidance strategies¹

1. Evaluate your daily schedule and environment
2. Create rules and limits
3. Follow through and enforce rules consistently
4. Provide simple instructions
5. Model and teach the expected behavior
6. Use prompts or cues
7. Use physical proximity
8. Change what the child is doing
9. Help children express feelings
10. Give children an opportunity to “re-do it right”
11. Provide authentic choices
12. Offer limited choices
13. Interrupt unacceptable behavior
14. Create a quiet/cozy place for children

Know child growth and development⁶

In order to support children’s growth and development, you need to know the areas in which children develop and the principles that guide development.

Now that we know more about child abuse and neglect, let’s review the steps in making a report.

Now that you’ve had an opportunity to review the types of child abuse, let’s discuss what supports are in place for early care and education providers.

NOTE: These lists may not include every indicator of neglect or abuse. Also, the presence of an indicator does not necessarily mean a child is being neglected.