Coaching Infant and Toddler Educators to Support Children's Approaches to Play and Learning

Teaching skills that support infants’ and toddlers’ play-based learning are essential to good practice. Practice-based coaching is a useful tool to support teachers in: creating a safe environment with meaningful choices that foster curiosity and independence; attending and engaging to children’s needs through warm, responsive interactions; and providing flexibility. Coaching strategies such as modeling, side-by-side support, and problem-solving discussions are especially effective. During this session, participants will learn about ways to develop infant-toddler teachers’ skills in supporting play-based learning.