Infants, toddlers, and caregivers: a curriculum of respectful, responsive, relationship-based care and education

Abstract

"Respect for infant-toddler development, and mindful caregiving practices for this age group, serve as the cornerstones for this textbook. In 1980 when this textbook was first published, infants and toddlers were scarcely mentioned in early childhood education. The existing curriculum focused on preschool children-3-, 4-, and 5-year olds. Society, however, was changing, and more children were entering out-of-home care at a younger age, and preschool teachers were experiencing new challenges. Traditional preschool curriculum, with circle time and group activities, did not fit the needs of 2-year-olds (and younger!). The authors of this book recognized that more specific curriculum was needed, and worked together to address these new and challenging issues in early care and education. The major theme of this textbook-the idea of respectful, responsive, and reciprocal adult-infant-toddler interactions-has been the same with each edition. The philosophy of Magda Gerber and the theory of Emmi Pikler provide the textbook with a unique approach while outlining well-established practices designed to promote infant and toddler well-being. Magda Gerber, a Los Angeles infant expert, came from Hungary. Her friend and colleague, Dr. Emmi Pikler, a theorist and researcher, also from Hungary, had established group care for infants and toddlers after World War II"--