Infant Care
Learning for our littlest ones depends on the trusting relationships they develop with their caregivers. When consistently loved and cared for, these little ones are ready to learn about the world around them. Our highest priority is to establish these consistent, supportive and loving relationships with your infant. Our infant care services in Dayton, Ohio are second to none.
The curriculum for Infants focuses on the following areas of development:
Social-Emotional development – includes forming relationships with adults, allowing adults to comfort them, learning to self-soothe, looking when an adult speaks to them, and interacting with peers. Our teachers spend one-on-one time with each infant whether it be in their lap or on the floor in the play area. We value doing whatever it takes to make each child comfortable and happy during their time in our care.
Language development
The ability to understand what is said (receptive language) and to express (expressive language) their wants, needs, likes and dislikes. 6-week-old infants begins showing interest in the speech of others by turning their head to the sound of a voice and then responding to familiar voices, eventually responding to their own name. As the infant progresses, they develop the ability to listen to and understand increasingly complex language. In time they begin to use language to express their own thoughts and needs. Our teachers are dedicated to engaging the children through play, talking, singing, reading to and nurturing each one individually.
Physical development
Gross motor physical development includes balancing in order to sit up and the ability to play with toys while sitting. In addition, traveling skills such as rolling over, crawling, cruising, and eventually walking are part of the gross motor development. Our infant room has space for children to have tummy time, play time, bouncing or even swinging time. Fine Motor development focuses on the ability to reach, grasp and release objects as well as holding and using objects purposely. Teachers move around with them throughout the day, providing opportunities for children to move and grow.
Cognitive development
The cognitive development of an infant progresses at a very rapid pace. At the earliest age they show interest in the things around them. The teachers structure the environment so that there are new things to see and explore as they grow. Infants repeat and practice behaviors over and over, taking note of the result. They love dropping things and waiting for the caregiver to hand it back! Older infants will begin to verbally count, “one, two, three” and show an understanding of the concept of “more.” The teachers in each room plan engaging and developmentally appropriate activities for the children to do each day.
Literacy development
Begins for the very young infant as they begin to show interest in books. Holding an infant while reading helps develop this interest in books as well as developing nurturing relationships with teachers
Our staff is committed to providing a rich learning environment where all of this can happen!
Our infants are divided between two rooms:
- Younger Infants (ages 6 weeks to about 1 year)
- Older Infants (ages 12 months – 20 months).