Project BEST

Building High Quality Infant and Toddler Care and Education

Name of CoP
Project BEST (Believing in Education through Support & Training)

Goal
Building High Quality Infant and Toddler Care and Education in Pima County

Philosophy

Philosophy of the class: Examination of effective teaching and guidance practices during infant and toddler years. Includes theory, relationships, assessment, curriculum, guidance, and professionalism in the context of providing education and care for the infant and toddler.

This course provides a framework for developmentally appropriate curriculum planning and is presented using a comprehensive series of adult learning strategies.

Learning goals: Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

Explain factors of infant development, toddler development, and relevant development

Theory

Describe strong family and community relationships in infant/toddler programs.
Define processes and tools to observe, document and assess infants and toddlers.
Discuss developmentally appropriate and effective practices with infants and toddlers.
Use content knowledge to build meaningful curriculum for infants and toddlers.
Identify standards reflective of the infant/toddler early childhood professional.

Course Delivery/Modality: Lecture, presentation, group work, journaling, group coaching, and individual on-site sessions.
Texts and resources that will be used: The Habit-Forming Guide to Becoming a Systems Thinker by Tracy Benson & Sheri Marlin (Waters Foundation); Mind in the Making The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs by Ellen Galinsky; Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children From Birth Through Age 8, Carol Copple and Sue Bredekamp, editors; Doing the Right Thing for Children: Eight Qualities of Leadership by Maurice Sykes; AZ Infant and Toddler Developmental Guidelines 1st Edition(Az Dept of Education); Families, Professionals, and Exceptionality (8th ed.) by Ann and Rud Turnbull; Powerful Interactions – How to Connect With Children to Extend Their Learning by Amy Laura Dombro, Judy Jablon, and Charlotte Stetson

Coaching for members happens through journaling, peer-to-peer technical assistance, and individual coaching, on-site/off-site as requested.

Time and Dates of classes: 1st Tuesday of the month from 6:30 – 9:00pm

Child and Family Resources

2800 E. Broadway Blvd Tucson, AZ 85716

For enrollment information, please contact Marjorie Mullins at mmullins@cfraz.org or Diane Fellows at dfellows@cfraz.org. If you are interested in registering for college credit, please review the checklist for items you will need to enroll.