Hunter Excerpt.pdf

Unpacking the Infant-Toddler Pyramid Model

A Practical Guide for Teachers and Providers

Authors and Affiliations

Contents

  1. About the Downloads
  2. About the Authors
  3. About the Contributors
  4. Foreword Brenda Jones Harden
  5. Acknowledgments
  6. Chapter 1 Introduction and Overview
  7. Chapter 2 Overview of the Pyramid Model
  8. Chapter 3 Caring for Yourself to Be Your Best Infant-Toddler Teacher
  9. Chapter 4 Creating an Anti-Racist and Inclusive Early Care Environment
    • Appendix 4.1. Checklist of Effective Practices
    • Appendix 4.2. A Family Handout
  10. Chapter 5 Building Positive Relationships With Infants and Toddlers
    • Appendix 5.1. Checklist of Effective Practices
  11. Chapter 6 Building Positive Relationships With Families
    • Appendix 6.1. Checklist of Effective Practices
  12. Chapter 7 Building Positive Relationships With Colleagues
    • Appendix 7.1. Checklist of Effective Practices
  13. Chapter 8 Creating and Maintaining Predictable and Responsive Schedules and Routines
    • Appendix 8.1. Checklist of Effective Practices
  14. Chapter 9 Transitions
    • Appendix 9.1. Checklist of Effective Practices
    • Appendix 9.2. Developmental Skills Chart
  15. Chapter 10 Environments That Support Infants and Toddlers
    • Appendix 10.1. Checklist of Effective Practices
  16. Chapter 11 Understanding Behavior
    • Appendix 11.1. Checklist of Effective Practices
  17. Chapter 12 Teaching Social Skills and Promoting Emotional Competencies
    • Appendix 12.1. Checklist of Effective Practices
  18. Chapter 13 Supporting Active Engagement With the Environment and Peers
    • Appendix 13.1. Checklist of Effective Practices
  19. Chapter 14 Understanding, Preventing, and Effectively Responding to Challenging Behavior
    • Appendix 14.1. Checklist of Effective Practices
    • Appendix 14.2. Teacher Observation Card
  20. Chapter 15 Implementing Individualized Behavior Support With Infants and Toddlers With Persistent Challenging Behavior
    • Appendix 15.1. Checklist of Effective Practices
  21. Chapter 16 Putting It All Together: Using Data to Monitor Pyramid Model Practice Implementation and Effects
  22. Index

Foreword

As a young clinician, I became invested in harnessing the power of prevention to address social-emotional challenges in infants and toddlers.

Introduction and Overview

Teachers in infant and toddler settings play an essential role in helping young children get a healthy start in life. High-quality early education programs can support children’s social and emotional learning. Early educators play a critically important role in this process. Even though they understand this importance, many report not feeling equipped to help children with challenging behavior.

The Role of Early Education Programs and Teachers

Decades of research have shown that high-quality early education programs can support children’s social and emotional learning. Relationships grow out of everyday interactions throughout the day within typical classroom routines, such as play, feeding, and diapering.

Unique Aspects of Infant-Toddler Care

Routines are familiar and predictable, helping children feel safe and secure. The use of primary caregiving, where each infant has a primary caregiver responsive to the child's needs, is crucial from an attachment perspective.

The Pyramid Model is Our Guiding Framework

The Pyramid Model guides the implementation of practices for promoting the social-emotional competence of all children. This model supports providing nurturing care and high-quality environments for all children, targeted strategies for those needing extra help, and individualized intervention for challenging behaviors.

Overview of the Chapters

The focus of this book includes Pyramid Model practices for teachers of infants and toddlers. Resources for implementing the Pyramid Model are highlighted throughout.

References