Infants

How do I make lesson plans for infants and toddlers?

I have a job interview for a position as an assistant teacher in an infant/toddler daycare. I have a degree in child psychology and lots of child care experience. But, how do I make lesson plans for infants and toddlers? Is it just a list of activities? Why have lesson plans for such young children? Are infant/toddler schedules that structured at a daycare center?

Public Comments

1. it is easier than it seems really it is like a chart kind of and where i use to work i followed my lesson plan by the word because that way i knew what i had to do on that day. I mean for me it was good because i would do them monthly and that way i was able to see if i needed anything that was not available at the center and ask for it before had. for infants i am not sure but as for toddlers which i consider are under 2 i will give you an example on a day and maybe that will help you Monday read a book about the number 3 ( make up a story if you can't find one) get 3 items see which one floats draw 3 balloons sing 3 blind mice make groups of 3 things ( blocks, toys, chalk etc.) Tuesday read little red riding hood count all red blocks change the colour of water to red color red hearts/ could also use paint eat red fruits for a snack (apple, grapes, strawberries) and so on it is a little easier once you start it the site i listed will help as well check it out
2. When I was little I used to go to a lot of these day care things, and my teachers used to give us crayons and we'd like color and then we had a snack period then she'd play on her guitar or piano. Apparently I had so much fun... I also sometimes take care of my little toddler cousin and I just put on music (like telitubies or whatever) and you cannot believe how much fun he has. Then I bring some toys, and we toss a soft ball... He loves that. So, just remember they're impressed easily. What I had in mind was maybe scheual* a nap time and a snack time... Let them watch Barney or The Tellitubies, give them toys, crayons and maybe play a little bit (if you have any experience) of music -- guitar/piano!
3. It really is that structured. They want the children to learn through play. So, what I have done in the past is to pick one thing for the month, and focus on it like "Water" everything would be around water. Or, you could also have the Days mean something Monday= Nursery Rhyme day Tuesday = Fun day Wednesday= Opposite Thursday = Color Day Friday+ Snack Day. You can make up your own and plus you have to see how the kids you will be working with are used to doing.
4. As an ssistant teacher, I doubt you'll have to do lesson planning...just help to implement the plans. But it's something that you should learn about if you plan to stay in the field. I find that daycare has a poor reputation...especially with infant/toddlers. Partly because parents still consider us as "baby sitters" and even some staff feel the same way. However, we encourage professionalism and the reminder that infant and toddler staff are TEACHERS and should actively plan for each day. Lesson plans should be organized and cover each area of the curriculum. A simple excel spread sheet will work. Decide what areas are going to be planned for each day. There should be activities planned for the following curriculum areas: social-emotional, language, literacy, math, science, social-community, creative expression, and physical development. In your plans it is also good to have a place to jot down individualization. Keep in mind that these activities do not need to always be teacher directed. You can place items for exploration in a center that will fall under a curriculum area. Consider your every day routines...often you can incorporate basic concepts or other curriculum areas in your "dailies". Just like Math is more than counting literacy is more than abc's and reading a book. Incorportate physical development and literacy by playing follow the leader. Did you know that activity could be considered literacy? Children must be able to copy physical movements prior to copying anything with paper/pencil. This is a "preschool" book many of the activities can be done in an infant/toddler class or can be made simpler. Jump into Literacy by Rae Pica. I also suggest using a theme...whether a theme day or a theme week. Here are a couple of books you can check for at your local library. If they don't carry them, see if they will interlibrary loan them. The Complete Resource Book for Toddlers and Twos by Pam Schiller (these activities can be made simpler for infants) The Encyclopedia of Infant and Toddler Activities by Kathy Charner Have fun!