Table of Contents
Introduction vii
1 Relationships Nurture Early Learning 2
Key Concept 1 Babies Have Amazing Capacities to Learn 5
Key Concept 2 Emotion Is Our Inborn Link to Learning 13
Key Concept 3 Observation Is the First Step in Caregiving 16
Key Concept 4 The Brain Is the Processing Center for Learning 19
2 The Caregiver Builds Relationships 32
Key Concept 1 What the Caregiver Brings to Relationships 34
Key Concept 2 Responsive Relationships 39
3 Relationships Are Emotional Connections 44
Key Concept 1 The Power of Shared Emotions 46
Key Concept 2 Different Emotions Affect Us in Different Ways 49
Key Concept 3 Shared Emotions Regulate Behavior 59
4 Relationships Foster a Positive Sense of Self 66
Key Concept 1 Positive Relationships Build Self-Worth 67
Key Concept 2 Mastery Is an Inborn Motivation 72
Key Concept 3 Scaffolding Supports Learning 75
5 Responsive Relationships Model and Promote Social Skills 82
Key Concept 1 Social Skills Develop During the First 3 Years of Life 84
Key Concept 2 Caregivers Support Social Learning 89
Key Concept 3 Children Serve as Models for One Another 94
6 Relationships Guide and Regulate Behavior 100
Key Concept 1 Understanding Behavior Is the First Step to Managing It 102
Key Concept 2 Adults Regulate and Focus Behavior 107
Key Concept 3 Responsive Caregivers Anticipate Behavior Problems 111
Key Concept 4 Extreme Behaviors Demand Action 116
7 Responsive Relationship! Promote Learning and Cognition 124
Key Concept 1 Response Caregivers Scaffold Cognitive Development 126
Key Concept 2 Imitation and Pretend Play Are Important in Early Learning 134
Key Concept 3 Learning Is Enhanced by Planning a Child-Focused Curriculum 138
8 Relationships Promote Language and Literacy 144
Key Concept 1 Caregivers Foster Communication 145
Key Concept 2 Language Can Be Used to Regulate Emotion 153
Key Concept 3 Literacy Activities Can Build Relationships, Language Skills, and Problem-Solving Abilities 156
9 Relationships With Families 164
Key Concept 1 Building Relationships with Parents Is Important 165
Key Concept 2 Children Can Experience Continuity and Discontinuity Between Home and Child Care 172
Key Concept 3 Caregivers Need to Maintain Their Connections With Families 175
10 Making Responsive Relationships Work in Your Program 182
Key Concept 1 A Relationship Based Model Is Vital 184
Key Concept 2 Caregivers Can Influence Change 187
Key Concept 3 Caregivers Need Emotional Refueling 195
Glossary 202
About the Authors 208
