Welcome

We would like to welcome you and your family to the infant toddler room.
We are looking forward to a wonderful journey together. The infant and toddler program is designed to meet the needs of very young children and their families. This handbook will give you some of the specifics that are not covered in detail in the general parent handbook. Please take some time to familiarize yourself with both hand books. We suggest that you save them as they will serve as an invaluable resource throughout your time at Parkside.

Philosophy

Our infant and toddler program has two philosophical influences: RIE ( resources for infant educators) and the schools of Reggio Amelia, Italy.

RIE

The RIE philosophy was founded by Magna Gerber and Dr. Tom Forest. The foundation of the RIE philosophy is respect for the child and their family. The belief that each child is a unique individual who develops at their own pace, in their own way, and deserves our respect is the cornerstone of our programs philosophy.

We encourage infants to be active participants in their caregiving routines by talking to them, and letting them know what is happening. In this way, we show our respect, and lay the foundation for later cooperation, and independence. As children get older they are able to participate more fully because they are able to anticipate what is expected of them. Caregiving routines are an important part of their curriculum as they ensure automatic opportunities for caregivers to be one on one with a child, providing opportunities for all kinds of social, emotional, linguistic and cognitive development. R.I.E. philosophy encourages active exploration and natural motor development. Our environment is set up to provide babies time on the floor to freely move their bodies. We do not use swings, bouncy chairs, high chairs, or exercise equipment. In most cases, physical development comes naturally, and we do not want to interfere with this natural process. Research has shown that children who are allowed to move in there on time, and in their own way often have fewer childhood accident because they have greater awareness of their capabilities and their limitations. Another aspect of the RIE philosophy is an emphasis on observation of the children. The caregivers observe the children closely to discover the uniqueness in each child. Observation Foster is a deep connection to end in the understanding of the children. It allows us to plan curriculum based on the individual needs and interests of the children.

The School of Reggio, Amelia, Italy.

Arc program is inspired by the schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy. We recently began our study of these schools, and their enormous impact on the field of early childhood education and care worldwide. We have explored and embrace many parts of the central tenants: an image of a strong and capable child, parents, as partners in the

educational project, and attention to the environment as the third teacher, the practice and the communication through documenting our research and children’s work and the teacher as a co-researcher with children. We are currently engaged in exploring, and deepening our understanding about how the central ideas are incorporated within our program.