Set up your setting to be a high-quality learning environment where responsive caregiving and play-based activities support the youngest children. Foundations of Responsive Caregiving will help you apply theories of child development to your own practices, build strong relationships with children, and support their social-emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development. Activities for Responsive Caregiving provides 101 play-based activities that engage children and emphasize primary and secondary learning outcomes in social-emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development. This set includes one copy each of Foundations of Responsive Caregiving and Activities for Responsive Caregiving.
I have worked in the field of Early Childhood Education since 1998 and over the years have used many wonderful resources to help me engage with, and teach, young children. One area that I had noticed a lack of resources for was our youngest learning, infants and toddlers. In recent years though, it seems early educators are realizing this and have released a number of fantastic books and products to engage this age group in order for them to develop to their maximum potential. One resource that I recently had the opportunity to review was the Responsive Caregiving Set, featuring both Foundations of Responsive Caregiving and Activities for Resposive Caregiving. Both books give caregivers (be it parents, early childhood staff, or others) a wonderful look at the world of infants and toddlers. Foundations of Responsive Giving is exactly that. An introduction or review (depending on who is reading it) about infant and toddler development. It is very nicely organized with tons of charts, photos and at the end of each chapter is a section that allows for personal reflection, with activities and ideas to enhance your time with this age group. Activities for Responsive Caregiving builds on the Foundations book, with over 100 activities included. The book is wonderfully organized into activities for infants, infant and toddlers, and toddlers. The activities are very easy to implement in all setting types (centers or homes) and use everyday items, so cost to do the activities are very low. I also loved that there are two great appendix's listing recommended children's books and an index which divides all activities into their various developmental areas. Perfect for quick reference! If you are a parent of an infant or toddler, work with this age group, or you are a director of a program that has children of this age in it, this is a fantastic resource set to add to your library. I highly recommend these books and give them both a huge thumbs up!