Online Courses About Infants and Toddlers: Info for Professional Caregivers

Possible work environments for professional caregivers of infants and toddlers include employers' homes, homes of private providers and childcare centers. Educational requirements for this field vary depending on regulations imposed by states and funding sources. Courses toward certificates and associate's degrees can be found online and cover topics such as infant and toddler development, health, nutrition and safety.

Overview of Online Courses about Infants and Toddlers for Professional Caregivers

Professional caregivers of infants and toddlers have the job of attending to the needs of children, encouraging age-appropriate development and learning, working cooperatively with parents and keeping children healthy. Requirements for this job can range from on-the-job training to certificates and associate's degrees in child development or early childhood education. Online courses are available on topics such as early developmental milestones, age-appropriate techniques for behavior modification, creating a learning-rich environment and the impacts of family and culture on development.

Course Requirements

To take part in these online courses, students need an up-to-date computer with high-speed Internet access. A sound card with speakers and high-color 16-bit monitor are necessary to display media properly. Students should have their own e-mail account and be able to send and receive attachments. Comfort in navigating the Web and following instructions for altering browser settings and installing plug-ins will be beneficial. Students will also need a word processing program and Acrobat Reader, and some courses may call for a presentation program like PowerPoint.

List of Online Courses about Infants and Toddlers for Professional Caregivers

Family, Culture and Community Course

Students consider the roles of various external influences in the lives of children. Factors such as class, race, ethnicity, language and religion are examined in terms of how they come together to form diverse identities. The importance of developing positive and empowering relationships with families and communities is discussed as caregivers are taught skills to foster these connections. This course may require PowerPoint in order to view and create presentations.

Infant and Toddler Growth and Development Course

Patterns of physical, cognitive, emotional, social and language development from birth to three years of age are the focus of this online course. Students learn about theories of nature and nurture and ways to provide opportunities that encourage development. Additional topics include assessment techniques for identifying atypical behaviors and how to integrate exceptionalities in the childcare setting.

Infant and Toddler Health, Safety and Nutrition Course

This course provides a broad understanding of the physical and nutritional needs of infants and toddlers. Students learn to promote healthy eating and sleeping patterns and provide a supportive environment for potty-training. Ways to maintain a safe environment by eliminating hazardous conditions through childproofing practices and decreasing the transmission of common childhood illnesses are discussed. Tools for recognizing and reporting neglect and abuse are also provided.

Behavior Management and Socialization Course

Reasons for misbehavior in children and appropriate attitudes and responses from adults are the focus of this course. Students learn to employ developmentally appropriate intervention methods for modifying negative behaviors, while encouraging positive interactions between individuals and within groups. The importance of documenting observations is discussed along with topics such as understanding temperament, attachment disorders, the development of trust and promoting positive self-esteem.

Early Education Course

This online course covers developmentally appropriate learning activities for infants and toddlers. A basic understanding of brain development is taught, and students discuss ways of learning at each stage. Students also study how to create a learning-rich environment that utilizes appropriate materials and activities to encourage the development of sensory-motor and language skills.