Baby Talk: Resources to Support the People Who Work With Infants and Toddlers
Issue No. 30, November 2013
More Than Baby Talk: 10 Ways to Promote the Language and Communication Skills of Infants and Toddlers
This brief guide describes ten practices that early childhood teachers can use to foster language and communication skills among infants and toddlers. The guidelines are based upon the latest research findings on optimal adult-child interactions for promoting strong language and communication skills among young children. http://mtbt.fpg.unc.edu/sites/mtbt.fpg.unc.edu/files/imce/documents/BabyTalk_WEB.pdf
Noise ≠ Conversation
DVDs and educational programs on TV have a growing place in helping young children to learn. But there’s new evidence that they may not be as effective as old fashioned conversation. Even before birth, children hear sounds and words and can babble a variety of noises that will eventually coalesce into language. The dynamic interaction between the infant and her caregiver—a back-and-forth that static videos and television programs can’t provide—is critical for efficient language learning.
http://healthland.time.com/2013/09/24/why-videos-arent-the-best-way-for-kids-to-learn/#ixzz2g7RBd3tZ
40 Fine Motor Skills Activities
The fine motor skills activities for young children in this collection are easy to set up and will promote a whole range of skills. They’re creative, open-ended, appropriate and varied with ideas for practicing motor skills through art, sensory play and simple manipulative games.
http://theimaginationtree.com/2013/09/40-fine-motor-skills-activities-for-kids.html
Supporting Infants and Toddlers in the Child Welfare System
ZERO TO THREE and Child Trends have recently released a report entitled “Changing the Course for Infants and Toddlers: A Survey of State Child Welfare Policies and Initiatives.” The report includes findings from a 2013 survey of state child welfare agencies about the policies and practices that guide their work in addressing the needs of infants and toddlers who have been maltreated. http://issuu.com/zerotothree/docs/changing_the_course_for_infants_and?e=9238603/4904819 (view online)
http://www.zerotothree.org/policy/docs/changing-the-course-for-infants-and-toddlers.pdf (download or print)
http://www.zerotothree.org/policy/changing-the-course-for-infants-and-toddlers.html (related companion pieces)
Using Toys to Support Infant-Toddler Learning and Development
This article by Gabriele Guyton offers strategies for selecting toys to meet young children’s unique needs and interests. http://www.naeyc.org/files/yc/file/201109/Using%20Toys_Guyton_Online_0911.pdf
Baby Talk is a free, one-way listserv that is distributed each month. Each issue features one or more resources, the majority of which are available to download at no cost. To join the listserv, send an email with no message to subscribe-babytalk@listserv.unc.edu. To suggest resources, please contact Camille Catlett at camille.catlett@unc.edu or (919) 966-6635.