How we communicate with babies and toddlers has a great impact on their lifelong learning and development as does the environments that we provide for these children. Babies thrive in a loving, nurturing homely environment where their needs are met promptly.

Tuning in to 2-Year-Olds: Improving Outcomes for Two-Year-Olds, Harrow Council and 4Children (2014)

Foundation Years Style Guidelines (birthto5matters.org.uk)

Together for Twos - supporting 2 year olds | PACEY

Top Tips

• Babies and Toddlers need active learning. They want to explore. They want to be independent. They are developing language skills, social skills (e.g. taking turns, sharing, waiting) and physical independence, but will still need the support of a tuned-in adult.
• Focus on play-based activities and routines. Let children take the lead and make choices for themselves to foster early cognitive development. Allow children to share and express ideas playfully.
• Give children time to develop close attachments, especially with their Key Person; secure and caring relationships are vital.
• Encourage schematic play. When a child has a pattern of repeated behaviour or play which he or she uses to explore ideas and thoughts, this repeated action of doing things over and over is actually building up the connections in the brain.
• 2-year-olds are not 3-year-olds so let them be 2!