First Steps promotes the school readiness
of infants and toddlers. We help to strengthen
the knowledge and practices of caregivers.
The focus
is on responsive relationships,
environments and experiences
through coaching.
Infant Toddler Specialists with First Steps
promote:
Responsive
and Respectful Caregiving
Developmentally
Appropriate Practices
Consistency
and Equity of Services
Evidenced
Based Learning
Currently, the focus for an Infant Toddler
Specialist is to provide services to Step
Up To Quality eligible sites. These sites
receive:
Environmental
rating scale observations
A
summary report of the scale
Monthly
on-site technical assistance
Direct
link to Healthy Child Care Ohio/Help
Me Grow assessments and services
Access
to lending library materials
Professional
Development opportunities
First Steps continues to explore ways to
enhance the quality of services that touch
the lives of infants and toddlers.
Ohio
Infant & Toddler Guidelines
Ohio’s Infant and Toddler Guidelines broaden our knowledge of
how young children grow and where they stand developmentally. This knowledge
strengthens our ability to improve care for infants and toddlers. As
a result of that care, children will be ready for both school and life.
The research is clear - early experiences do last a lifetime.
The guidelines
serve as a starting point for getting
to know infants as well as an ongoing
tool that we can reference as each
child grows and learns. The guidelines
are meant to be used by parents, providers
and policy makers.
A 20.5 hour training series was developed
and is being taught around the state.
The Guidelines are distributed through
the CCR&R system by the Infant
Toddler Specialist.
