FAMILY CENTERED CHILD CARE APPROACH PROJECT

INFANT ROOM

On June 12, 2007 Linda Teal, lead teacher in the infant room, opened her new items and toys for the classroom. Funding was provided through the Schenectady Foundation. She requested a number of new toys such as rattles, soft balls, sensory balls and blocks. She also purchased a soft staircase for climbing and sliding as well as a large butterfly pillow. Some of the other items purchased were a new rug, a cd player, multicultural dolls and books.

A new addition to the book collection was a book called Who Loves Baby? In order to strengthen the children’s feelings of belonging in the classroom, pictures were taken of the infants and put into the book. The book was also used as a tool for increasing small motor skills, cognitive skills, while supporting language and social emotional development.

The infants sat and explored their new toys using all of their senses to investigate and discover relationships between their bodies and their environment.

Toys that help children explore various sensations are important for sensory integration. Teachers in the infant room provided interesting balls to strengthen baby’s tactile awareness.

A good old fashioned toy telephone provides opportunities for infants to practice their understanding of a familiar scheme. Both children are demonstrating important symbolic play that is providing the ground work for later reading! Careful observation of this child’s cues helps the teacher support this important exploration.

Soft books with interesting pictures provide opportunities for infants to name what they see. Each child explores early language and literacy materials at her own rate. Young infants carefully examine pages and observe pictures. This teacher partners with an older infant to name pictures and read the story.

A simple soft photo book provides a safe way for infants to look at their own faces and environment. Photos of familiar faces and surroundings motivate children to babble and use vocabulary while supporting their growing sense of security.

What is sensory without the motor? Teachers purchased this soft climbing ramp to help support gross motor development. The new area rug and pillows provide a clean and interesting place for tummy time.

BACK