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Text Box: West Ed Infant and Toddler Training Program  

 

Text Box: Email: Sara Jensen for More information on these topics.
 

Text Box: BACK Text Box: Text Box: Text Box: The latest brain research has revealed the importance of early learning for infants and toddlers.  During he first three years of life, brain connections are formed that will be the foundation for future learning. The early years then become  very valuable indeed. South Dakota has recognized the importance of this research and has put a training program in place for infants and toddlers.  Through the South Dakota Department of Social Services’ Office of Child Care Services and the Bush Foundation, educators were taught by West Ed Program for Infants and Toddler Caregivers of California.  West Ed is a nonprofit research and development agency dedicated to improving education and opportunities for children.             We offer West Ed trainings across our region for child care providers and parents.  The curriculum consists of four modules which cover topics including:             *Fostering Emotional Development             *Planning the Environment             *Establishing Partnerships with Parents             *Language Development             *Brain Development   Text Box: Related Internet Sites:   The Program for Infant/Toddler Care       www.pitc.org   Child Care Bureau www.childcare.gov   Early Head Start National Resource Center www.ehsnrc.org   I Am Your Child Campaign www.iamyourchild.org   E3 Institute Advancing Excellence in Early Education www.e3institute.org   Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE) www.rie.org   Zero to Three www.zertothree.org           Text Box: Mini Grants Available             Child care providers who attend 20 hours of West Ed Infant Toddler trainings are eligible for a $200.00 grant.  The grant dollars can be used to buy equipment, toys and/or materials that support infant and toddler care.  The grant can also be used towards obtaining a CDA (Child Development Associates).             To be eligible for the grant, child care providers need to be registered with the South Dakota Pathways Career Lattice.    (Contact your local ECP office to register)             Watch our training calendar for West Ed classes being offered in your area.           Text Box: “Good infant care is neither baby-sitting nor preschool.  It is a special kind of care that resembles no other."         -Program for Infant/Toddler          Caregivers Philosophy Text Box: Contacts for purchasing infant toddler toys,          equipment or materials: ABC School Supply                 www.abcschoolsupply.com Childcraft                                 www.childcraft.com Constructive Playthings             www.constplay.com Discount School Supply            www.discountschoolsupply.com Discovery Toys                        www.discoverytoysinc.com Kaplan                                     www.kaplanco.com Lakeshore                                www.lakeshorelearning.com Little Tykes                              www.ltcps.com Scholastic                                 www.scholastic.com/ect