CHLD 184: Infant and Toddler Caregiver: Environments and Routines

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2025
Credits: 1
Total Contact Hours: 18
Lecture Hours : 18
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 36
Total Student Learning Hours: 54
Strongly Recommended: ENGL C1000.
Transferable to CSU: No
Transferable to UC: No
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

This is one of four one-unit classes in Infant and Toddler Caregiving based on the Responsive Caregiving approach. Students in this class will learn to set up a safe, intimate, and interesting environment for infants and toddlers. They will also learn to evaluate infant and toddler care environments in terms of health and safety issues. Students discuss how to intentionally plan indoor and outdoor play environments. This class partially meets the licensing requirement for 3 units in infant and toddler care and development. 18 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • Describe best practices that support health and safety regulations in an infant/toddler environment.
  • Identify common challenges and solutions when caring for children birth to 36 months in a group setting.
  • Design appropriate play spaces and care routines that invite infant and toddler participation and learning.
  • Identify inclusive practices that support and respect the diverse cultures, values, and beliefs of families and caregivers.

Major Course Content

  1. Environment - indoors and outdoors
    1. Health and safety
    2.  Inviting and engaging spaces
    3. Spaces that promote trust and security
    4. Colors, textures, lighting, and sounds 
    5. Materials and equipment 
    6. Adult spaces
    7. Furnishing and colors
    8. Equipment and supplies
  2. Routines
    1. Feeding
    2. Diapering
    3. Napping
  3. Relationships
    1. Adult/child interactions
    2. Family sensitivity
    3. Culturally Responsive Care

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Harms, T., Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scale-3 Teacher's College Press, 2017
The Infant/Toddler Learning and Development Program Guidelines, Second Edition, 2019 by the California Department of Education.

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Written evaluation of a video observation of a teacher during his/her handling of routines in an infant/toddler center.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Group project to develop an appropriate physical environment for infants and toddlers that would serve the three groups: non-mobile infant, mobile crawlers, walking toddlers

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture