Language and Literacy I
Infants and Toddlers
Name_____________________________________ Date___________
Every child is a special combination of inherited traits and environmental influences.
From birth, infants can be described as communicators interested in their surroundings.
Researchers confirm that newborns seem to assimilate information immediately. Some
suggest an infant possesses “the greatest mind” in existence and the most powerful
learning machine in the universe. Cowley (2000) describes exposure to language before
birth.
During the third trimester of pregnancy, many mothers
notice that their babies kick and wiggle in response to
music or loud noises. The sound of speech may draw
a less spirited reaction, but there is little question that
fetuses hear it.
You will use your textbook titled, “Infants, Toddlers, and Caregivers: A Curriculum of
Respectful, Responsive Care and Education, by Mena & Eyer, Chapter nine. Define
Receptive Language and Expressive Language, and give at least one example.
On page 174 the authors gives guidelines for fostering language development in infants
and toddlers, choose two and describe how you would use it in the infant or toddler
classroom.
Define Bilingualism and what does the text say about infants and the use of two
languages.
ACTIVITIES
Write the title and author of at three books you think would be appropriate for older
infants.
1. ____________________________________________________________________
2._____________________________________________________________________
3._____________________________________________________________________
What tips or strategies would you suggest to a relative who is attempting to share a
simple picture book with an infant? List.
Observe two infants (birth to 12 months). Note situations in which the infants make
sounds and how adults (parents or teachers) react to the sound making.
Make a book for toddlers from magazine illustrations or from photographs of common
objects familiar to toddlers. Pages should be sturdy. Cut away any distracting
backgrounds. If desired, outline objects with a wide-tip felt pen and protect pages with
clear adhesive plastic or slip into page protectors. (An old binder works well to hold the
pages.) Turn this in with this module. You can video clip or take digital pictures and
submit via email.
Discussion Board Question is on the Blog please answer and submit them on-line.
References:
Early Childhood Experiences in Language Arts Early Literacy, Jeanne M. Machado, 8th
edition
Infants, Toddlers, and Caregivers: A Curriculum of Respectful, Responsive Care and
Education by Janet Gonzalez-Mena & Dianne Widmeyer Eyer, 6th edition