Beautiful Beginnings

A Developmental Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers

Helen H. Raikes, Ph.D., Jane McCall Whitmer, M.S.

More than 350 easy, fun, and research-supported activities help professionals and parents build on young children's natural strengths and interests, recognize emerging developments, and encourage progress in areas of concern.

Request an Exam Copy

• Product Details
• Table of Contents
• Reviews
• Contributors
• Free Resources

Developed by two respected research consultants for Early Head Start, this extensive curriculum takes a joyful activity-based approach to enhancing the development of infants and toddlers. Professionals and parents will get more than 350 photocopiable, easy-to-use activity sheets—divided into six age ranges between birth to three years —that build on each child’s natural strengths and interests, recognize and expand on emerging developments, and encourage progress in areas of concern. This research-supported curriculum

• helps children progress in eight key areas: communication, gross motor, fine motor, intellectual, discovery, social, self-help, and pretend
• promotes parent/professional collaboration as they choose goals for the child and support the child’s progress
• recognizes each child’s individuality by encouraging careful observation and reflection during goal selection
• uses—in many cases— materials readily available in most homes
• makes it simple and fun to track child progress with photocopiable goal sheets for recording objectives, “goal charts” for each age range, and corresponding stickers to celebrate accomplished goals
• is linked with the Ages & Stages Questionnaires® (ASQ®)

Ideal for use in a variety of programs and settings, such as Early Head Start, center-based care, home visits, and parent education programs, this engaging and effective curriculum helps young children meet developmental goals and enhances their school readiness.

The curriculum includes:

• more than 350 photocopiable activity sheets
• goal sheets
• a goal chart for each age range
• six pages of stickers
• CD-ROM with all the activities, goal sheets, and goal charts

See how this product helps strengthen Head Start program quality and school readiness.

Reviews

Martha Staker, Director and Principal Investigator, Project EAGLE Community Programs University of Kansas Medical Center - June 8, 2006

"Raises the bar by defining how early educators can structure intentional experiences for infants and toddlers."

Monica Asher, Director, The Bryan Community Student/Child Learning Center, Lincoln, Nebraska - June 8, 2006

"A welcome addition to our student/parent program. The activities foster positive learning interaction between parent and child."

Alice Honig, Professor Emerita of Child Development, Syracuse University - June 8, 2006

"A useful source of specific activity ideas for caregivers and parents . . . always reminds the caregiver how important it is to stay close, observe, and interact in responsive, gentle ways with an infant."

Carolyn Edwards, University of Nebraska, Lincoln - June 8, 2006

"A versatile curriculum . . . readily understood and carried out by parents, home visitors, and center-based providers."

Julie Jones-Branch, Lecturer, Ruth Staples Child Development Lab, University of Nebraska, Lincoln - June 8, 2006

"A comprehensive curriculum that gives value to the learning process from birth . . . support[s] parents and educators in their quest to enhance children's learning potential."

Authors: Helen H. Raikes Ph.D., Jane McCall Whitmer M.S.

Read the article

Beautiful Beginnings: Building on Babies' Strengths

Download the alignment

How Our Early Childhood Products Help Strengthen Head Start Program Quality and School Readiness

Download the e-book

From Babbles to Books