Home » ExchangeEveryDay » Being Intentional with Babies



ExchangeEveryDay Past Issues


<< Previous Issue | View Past Issues | | Next Issue >> ExchangeEveryDay
Being Intentional with Babies
July 17, 2009
If I had influence with the good fairy who is supposed to preside over the christening of all children, I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life.
-Rachel Carson
In her Exchange article, "More Purposeful and Intentional Infant and Toddler Care," Pam Schiller described the characteristics of an intentional caregiver:
  • An intentional caregiver focuses on what is developing with specific outcomes or goals in mind for children’s development and learning. For infants and toddlers, she focuses on each of the developmental domains: cognitive, social-emotional, motor, and language.
  • The intentional caregiver possesses a wide range of knowledge. She knows and follows the “windows of opportunity” from early brain development research. She understands how to accommodate individual differences among little ones with different temperaments, personality styles, and learning styles.
  • An intentional caregiver provides a balance of classroom experiences so that children and caregiver take turns leading activities.


Being with Babies: Understanding and Responding to the Infants in Your Care is a great resource for both beginning and experienced caregivers. Each chapter describes an issue that caregivers face daily, offers scenarios that illustrate the challenge, suggests solutions caregivers can use to address the issue, and concludes with a review of key points. Chapters include information on:

  • Developing relationships with babies
  • Using observation to understand babies
  • Communicating with babies
  • Selecting appropriate toys
  • Setting up safe and effective learning environments for babies

ExchangeEveryDay

Delivered five days a week containing news, success stories, solutions, trend reports, and much more.

What is ExchangeEveryDay?

ExchangeEveryDay is the official electronic newsletter for Exchange Press. It is delivered five days a week containing news stories, success stories, solutions, trend reports, and much more.

The Lice Light is an innovative ultraviolet light that makes lice eggs glow for easy screening. The handheld device is safe and easy to use. Get back to class fast.


Comments (1)

Displaying 1 Comment
Eve Sullivan · July 20, 2009
Parents Forum
Cambridge, MA, United States


I love reading your articles and often forward them to others in the Parents Forum circle.
In the July 17 'Being Intentional With Babies,' I wonder about your using the word 'caregiver' alone rather than the phrase 'caregiver or parent.' The groups overlap: parents are caregivers and caregivers may be parents. It is important to say both, I think. Do you agree or disagree?
Eve Sullivan, Founder, Parents Forum www.parentsforum.org



Post a Comment

Have an account? to submit your comment.


required

Your e-mail address will not be visible to other website visitors.
required
required
required

Check the box below, to help verify that you are not a bot. Doing so helps prevent automated programs from abusing this form.



Disclaimer: Exchange reserves the right to remove any comments at its discretion or reprint posted comments in other Exchange materials.