Infant and Toddler Online Course

This online course studies the growth and development of children from birth through 36 months.

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Why take the online Infant and Toddler class?

T&L 320: Infant and Toddler is a study of the child’s growth and development from birth to 36 months.  The course provides students with a basis for understanding normal developmental needs of children, and a means of meeting those needs in the children’s home and community environments.

The content of this course meets many sets of criteria.  The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accredits the teacher education program at UND. The Interstate New Teacher Assessment Support Consortium (INTASC) standards are used by both CAEP and the Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB,) which determines licensing standards for North Dakota. In addition, the higher education institutions which have teacher education programs in North Dakota have articulation agreements so that content is consistent in infant toddler courses across the state.  While the course content is somewhat prescribed, there is still room for it to be responsive to what students want to learn. There are many opportunities to give input along the way, starting with the Professional Development Self-Assessment assignment at the beginning of the course.

At the end of the course, students will:

• gain knowledge of practices that are developmentally, individually, and culturally appropriate, promoting inclusivity in infant toddler settings. (InTASC 1-8) (CAEP 1.1-1.5, 2.1-2.3)
• recognize and respect individuality in infants, toddlers, and their families with respect to disabilities, diversity in cultural background, dual language learners and variations in temperament. (InTASC 1-3, 9) (CAEP 1.3, 1.4, 2.2)
• provide play-based experiences that support learning with respect to developmental domains (physical/motor social, emotional, cognitive/language), content areas (emergent literacy and STEM) and foundational skills (maintaining attention, problem solving, curiosity, and task persistence.) (InTASC 1, 3-5, 8) (CAEP 1.1-1.5, 2.1-2.3)
• identify the characteristics of the physical and social environment that foster healthy development and learning for infants and toddlers. (InTASC 1-4) (CAEP 1.2-1.5, 2.2, 2.3)
• utilize observational assessment to determine developmental skills and plan appropriate learning experiences. (InTASC 1, 2, 6, 7, 8) (CAEP 1.1-1.5, 2.1, 2.3)
• distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate uses of technology for age 0-3. (InTASC 1, 4, 6, 8) (CAEP 1.2, 1.3, 1.5)
• understand how research informs evidence-based practices that support quality care and education for infants and toddlers, and critically analyze myths associated with development and learning of children 0-3. (InTASC 1, 2, 4, 5, 9) (CAEP 1.1-1.4, 2.2)
• apply knowledge and theories of infant/toddler development as a basis for informed decision making, both individually and collaboratively. (InTASC 4, 6, 9, 10) (CAEP 1.1-1.3, 2.1, 2.3)

Students may take 3-9 months to complete 16 lessons designed to focus your study of infant and toddlers and to assist you in achieving the course learning objectives/outcomes. You will work through a combination of required readings, captioned videos, assignments, and quizzes. This course does not have proctored exams. Lesson topics include:

• Relationship-Based Approach, ACEs, Types of Infant and Toddler Programs
• Understanding Families, Supporting Parents
• Theories and Application
• Observation & Assessment
• Brain Development
• Attachment in Relationships
• Social Development & Peers, Program Quality
• Cognitive Learning, Cultural Influences
• Language Development, Dual Language Learners
• Motor Development, Relationships & Culture
• Quality Elements of Infant-Toddler Programs
• Elements of a Responsive and Relationship-Based Program, Cultural Sensitivity
• Responsive Transitions & Routines, Quality Environments
• Discipline & Guidance
• Disabilities, Inclusion, and Professional Organizations

Required Course Textbook

Wittmer, D. S., & Petersen, S. H.  (2018). Infant and Toddler Development and Responsive Program Planning (4th edition).  Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.  ISBN#: 9780134450094

A variety of journal articles will be used in this course and are provided within the lesson folders in Blackboard.

How will the course appear on my transcript?

You may enroll at any time and have up to 9 months to complete this online course. The credits earned will be recorded on your UND transcript based on the date you registered for the course. It will appear on your transcript in the same way as a course taken during a regular semester. There is no indication that the course was taken online or that you completed it at your own pace. 

Why Take Online Classes at UND?

Here are a few reasons why you should take an online enroll anytime course at UND:

• Great customer service – Our registration team is ready to answer questions quickly so you can focus on your coursework.
• Affordable – UND's enroll anytime courses are priced at North Dakota's affordable, in-state tuition rate.
• Accredited – UND is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
• Easily transfer credits – Transferring credits is always at the discretion of the institution to which the credits are being transferred. In general, credits from schools/universities that are regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission transfer to other regionally accredited institutions. UND's online courses appear on your UND transcript in the same way as other courses.

Flexible 100% Online Course

You'll take this online course at your own pace. Some students thrive in this environment, while other students may struggle with setting their own deadlines. If you have successfully taken an independent study or correspondence course previously, UND’s enroll anytime courses may be right for you. Still not sure? Take our online quiz to help determine if online enroll anytime courses are right for you.

Course information including tuition, technology requirements, textbooks, lessons and exams is subject to change without notice.