Meeting Individual and Special Needs

By Marion O'Brien, Ph.D.

This educational book gives child care providers the practical guidance they need to serve infants and toddlers with and without disabilities in inclusive settings. It offers information and helpful advice on handling daily care tasks, teaching responsively, meeting individual needs, developing rapport with parents, understanding toddlers' behavior, working with IFSPs, and maintaining high standards of care.

Suggested play activities and intervention approaches help promote healthy development in all children. Ready-to-use quality check forms, parent report forms, and feeding/play schedules target skills in areas in which infants and toddlers need the most help. Students preparing for careers in child care and professionals working in settings that welcome children of all abilities will find this resource to be a valuable tool for providing high quality services to their young clients.

Part I: An Introduction to Inclusive Child Care for Infants and Toddlers

1. A Developmental-Ecological Approach to Inclusive Infant-Toddler Care
2. Child Care as a Setting for Early Intervention
3. Parents as Partners
4. Organizing Inclusive Infant-Toddler Care

Part II: Teaching and Learning in Inclusive Infant-Toddler Care Settings

5. Exploration and Experience
6. Responsive Teaching Techniques for Infants and Toddlers
7. Responsive Guidance for Infants and Toddlers

Part III: Activities of Daily Living

8. Food and Nutrition
9. Diapering and Toilet Training
10. Transitions

Part IV: Management and Administration of Inclusive Infant-Toddler Care

11. Administering Inclusive Infant-Toddler Care
12. Evaluating Quality in Inclusive Infant-Toddler Care

References

Appendix A: Themes for Infant and Toddler Play

Appendix B: Sample Play Activities for Inclusive Infant and Toddler Care

Appendix C: Planning Forms for Infant and Toddler Play

Appendix D: Recording Forms for Inclusive Infant-Toddler Care

Index