Infants, Toddlers, and Caregivers: A Curriculum of Respectful, Responsive, Relationship-Based Care and Education

by Janet Gonzalez-Mena

The major theme of this textbook - the idea of respectful, responsive, and reciprocal adult-infant-toddler interactions has been consistent with each edition. The underlying framework for the textbook is founded in the “Ten Principles” which is initially discussed in Chapter 1. Respectful behaviors on the part of the caregivers are the basis of the Ten Principles. The textbook refers to these in every chapter, and a “Principles in Action” feature in each chapter uses a scenario to further explain individual principles.Respect is a key component of the curriculum that Infants, Toddlers, and Caregivers advocates. Curriculum has to do with respecting and responding to each child’s needs in sensitive ways that promote attachment. Curriculum for infants and toddlers embraces everything that happens during the day. This textbook consistently outlines well-established practices related to sensitive care and program planning that are designed to promote well-being and identity formation in infants and toddlers.The focus of Infants, Toddlers, and Caregivers is on action - putting theory into practice. Knowing “about” is different from knowing “how to.” The authors appreciate that even people with considerable understanding of early development may have trouble acting on that understanding unless they have also learned to apply theory. The caregiver role incorporates that of teach and education. Appreciating diversity, cultural and linguistic difference, and inclusion have grown in significance with each edition, and are reflected in positive, non-biased terminology throughout the textbook.

Genres: Parenting, Education, Professional Development, Textbooks

416 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 1989

Reviews

[Keenan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive look at various aspects of infant and toddler care (< 3 years), with an emphasis on providing the physical and social environment needed for young people to become independent, sociable problem-solvers with a good handle on their emotions. Once you wrap your mind around the core philosophy of the book, a lot of the chapters sort of write themselves, but there's still value in having all the information in one place as one begins to figure out one's own parenting style. Also, there's a little bit of a weird emphasis on complex neuroscience concepts that feel juxtaposed with the otherwise fairly child development and psychology-focussed text.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific textbook! Incredibly thoughtful, thought-provoking and practical information that will inform much of how I approach my work with children of all ages and their families. In fact, I was directly applying so much of what I learned as I was getting through the text; I know that I am all the better as a caregiver/teacher for having read this book.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book does make use of scientific studies and research, so much of it is filled with personal opinion and the very liberal approach to education and childcare of modern times. At times when reading this book I thought its idealism overwhelmed its practical information or the benefit of experience. I often had to wade through pages filled with sentiment on gender stereotypes and so on just to get to anything useful. Still, there are useful sections and ideas in this book.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really useful book. This book highlights the importance of respectful relationships with infants. With so many large Early Child centres it is vital to place an emphasis on high quality respectful relationships and the importance of higher teacher ratios. Encouraging owners to provide higher teacher ratios-- often enough profit is made to put money back into this high quality ECE Education

[Christa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome, super useful book. I like to be able to refer back to it as needed. I gained a significantly expanded perspective on infants and toddlers through this, and it's already helped me in interacting with them.

[Julie Shick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay this is a college textbook and still I'm rating it high. I really liked the setup of the book. It had positive viewpoints and was easy to read. I really liked Magda Gerbers quotes laced through the chapters. I'll read the book again when I feel the fire waning in my teaching.

[Ann Edgerton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be sure this is the most current i.e. 7th edition not the earlier ones.

[Amanda Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book informative and interesting, too bad the class I read it for was awful. Hehe.

[Amber]

1 copy

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fell in love with this book in its first edition as the textbook for my undergrad infant development class. It is still just as good today.

[Amber]

1 copy