For program managers, planning a responsive curriculum involves helping caregivers understand and relate to infant and toddler development both generally and specifically. Much of lesson planning then involves exploring ways to help caregivers get 'in tune' with each infant they serve, and learn from the individual infant what he or she needs, thinks, and feels. With this kind of approach the lessons that are most appropriate for an infant often become quite obvious. Yet even 'in tune' caregivers need to plan and re-plan how to form a relationship with each individual child, and best meet that child's needs and relate to her or his unique thoughts and feelings. When developing or selecting a curriculum it will serve you well to rate them on how successful they are at addressing the following factors of infant development.
Infants learn holistically.
Infants and toddlers experience life more holistically than at any other age period. Social, emotional, intellectual, language, and physical learning are not separated by the infant. Adults are most helpful to the young child when they interact in ways that reflect an understanding that the child is learning from the whole experience not just the part of the experience to which the adult gives attention. Infancy has three stages. Between birth and age three a child goes through three distinct developmental stages.