The Benefits of an Infant Curriculum
From birth to 12 months, infants rapidly develop across all domains. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, babies begin learning from birth as they interact with caregivers, respond to sights and sounds, and explore their surroundings. Introducing a research-based infant curriculum during this period can enhance your baby’s natural development.
Benefits of using an infant curriculum include:
• Supports all areas of development: cognitive, motor, communication, and social-emotional skills.
• Provides a flexible structure with age-appropriate activities.
• Builds early literacy, math, science, and critical thinking skills through play.
• Fosters curiosity, exploration, and problem solving.
• Reinforces learning through repetition of activities.
• Encourages bonding through joint engagement in play.
Many infant programs utilize a curriculum to support active learning and promote healthy development. Implementing a similar curriculum at home allows you to reinforce your baby’s learning through fun, engaging activities.
What Defines a High-Quality Infant Curriculum?
When evaluating infant curriculum options, look for comprehensive, developmentally appropriate programs designed by early childhood experts. Key features of an excellent curriculum include:
• Covers all developmental domains: cognitive, motor, language, and social-emotional
• Offers a variety of activities to build different skills
• Uses play-based learning with real-life objects to keep infants engaged
• Provides learning guidelines but maintains a flexible structure
• Focuses on relationship-building and responsive routines
• Encourages parent participation and home-learning activities
• Aligns with relevant early learning standards and guidelines
• Is backed by valid educational research and child development theories
Following a curriculum does not mean regimenting your baby’s day. An effective curriculum is a tool to interact with your child in stimulating and meaningful ways.
An Infant Curriculum Builds a Strong Foundation
Incorporating an infant curriculum sets up your child for success in cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development during the first year. Complementing warm, responsive caregiving with a research-based curriculum provides tools to actively support and enhance your baby’s early learning while you bond through play.
After reading about the benefits of an infant curriculum, you may be looking for an infant program that implements a robust, research-based curriculum into their infant program. Look no further than Rising Stride Child Care Centers. With a comprehensive infant curriculum along with warm, nurturing care, Rising Stride offers an enriching infant environment where your child can thrive and reach crucial early learning milestones.
Contact Us today to learn more about our infant program and schedule a tour to see our infant curriculum in action! Choosing the right infant center in Delaware County can give your child the foundation they need to maximize their potential. Discover how our infant curriculum and excellent teachers provide the responsive care and early learning opportunities your baby deserves.