Best Practices for Infant and Toddler Care

This resource list contains sources which can aid teachers and caregivers in selecting the best practices for infant and toddler care.
IEL Resources
- Tip Sheets:
- Q&A:
- Blog: Strategies for Developmentally Appropriate “Show and Tell” in Early Childhood Classrooms
- Podcast: Including Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities in Child Care
Web Resources
-
Choosing Quality Child Care
(also in Spanish)Source: Child Care Aware of America
This resource explains that all children—especially infants and toddlers—need a child care setting where they can thrive with caregivers who understand how to promote their healthy growth and development.
-
DAP with Infants and Toddlers, Ages Birth – 3
Source: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
This page describes Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) for infants and toddlers and provides resources for providers.
-
Including Relationship-Based Care Practices in Infant-Toddler Care: Implications for Practice and Policy
Source: Network of Infant/Toddler Researchers
This brief describes relationship-based care practices and the research support for a focus on relationships in infant and toddler care. It emphasizes two specific relationship-based care supports – primary caregiving and continuity of care.
-
Infant and Toddler Child Care Quality
Source: Child Care and Education Research Connections
This publication identifies factors that tend to predict higher quality care within arrangement types—family child care, center care, and relative care—and describes the range of quality found in each type.
-
Infant and Toddler Early Learning Guidelines Implementation Toolkit
Source: Zero to Three
The following resources, tools, and process suggestions which are intended to assist states and territories in engaging in a strategic planning process to support the implementation of Early Learning Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers.
-
Keys to High-Quality Child Care for Infants and Toddlers: Core Knowledge and Competencies for Infants and Toddlers
Source: Zero to Three
This fact sheet describes common elements found in the core knowledge and competencies for infants and toddlers of 36 states, including age ranges, core knowledge categories, competency levels, and special considerations for children with special needs and cultural diversity.
-
Natural Partners in Natural Environments: Childcare & Early Intervention
Source: Early Intervention Training Program (EITP)
This booklet describes how child care providers can support families whose children may be eligible for, or are enrolled in, the early intervention program.
-
Relationship-Based Care Practices Webinar Series
Source: Child Care State Capacity Building Center
This webinar series introduces infant-toddler caregivers to important program practices in group care.
-
Research on Quality in Infant-Toddler Programs
Source: Education Resources Information Center (ERIC)
This indicates that choice of high-quality care is critical for children’s optimal development.
-
Social Emotional Tips for Providers Caring for Infants
Source: The Center for Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (CECMHC)
This explains that the quality of infants’ relationships forms the foundation for their social and emotional health.
-
What Does a High-Quality Program for Infants Look Like?
Source: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
This resource notes specific elements of a high-quality environment for infants and explains how caregivers plan learning experiences for infants.