Infants and Toddlers  

Active Learning, Trusting
Relationships,  Continuity of Care 
Like all HighScope programs, the Infant-Toddler Curriculum is based on the principle that children learn best through direct, hands-on experiences with people, objects, events, and ideas.  During this active learning process, infants and toddlers are encouraged to discover the world around them by exploring and playing. Learning and development are anchored by long-term, trusting relationships with caregivers, who are close at hand to support the children as they play. Adults scaffold further learning as they interact with children throughout the day.

HighScope INFANT-TODDLER Curriculum Components
The Infant-Toddler Curriculum is the infant-toddler component of HighScope's complete, research-based system of early childhood education and care. Components include:

• Proven teaching practices to support children's growth and learning
• Content areas for infants and toddlers (ages 0–3)
• Assessment tools to evaluate and plan for children's learning and measure program quality
• A training model to help caregivers implement the program effectively 

► Content: How and What Infants and Toddlers Are Learning
In a HighScope setting, children explore, ask and answer questions, solve problems, and interact with other children and adults as they pursue their choices and plans. During this process, they engage in teacher- and self-initiated learning experiences in 10 child development content areas. Within each content area are key experiences that foster important skills and abilities. The Curriculum includes 41 key experiences for the infant-toddler years along with support strategies for each.

Center arrangement, materials and equipment. The space and materials in HighScope infant-toddler settings are arranged to promote active learning within a safe, comfortable and secure environment.  Each center is divided into areas organized around specific kinds of play and care, such as small toy area, book area, movement area, art area and spaces for diapering, meals, and naps. The areas are located around the perimeter of the room and the middle space is used for large-muscle movement.

Daily schedules and caregiving routines. HighScope teachers give children a sense of control over the events of the day by planning a predictable yet flexible daily routine. The routine consists of arrivals and departures, choice times, group times, meals, and outside times. These common daily events are scheduled to accommodate the eating, sleeping, and bodily care cycles of each infant or toddler.

Assessment. The Infant-Toddler Child Observation Record (COR) enables caregivers and administrators to assess each child's progress and plan educational experiences that will encourage further learning. This assessment is designed to coordinate with the HighScope Preschool COR.  In cases where programs serve a mixed age group, both instruments are used.