Emotional Beginnings is a curriculum and on-site training process used by childcare professionals to increase the emotional availability and relationship building skills of infant and toddler caregivers. Emotional Beginnings Topics The following sequence of topics provides experiential learning that progressively builds caregiver skills. Program Orientation Setting expectations and a foundation for an emotional development approach to caregiving. 1. Role of the Child Care Provider in Emotional Beginnings Emotional Beginnings starts with a basic understanding of the emotional needs and development of infants and toddlers and how caregivers can make more positive connections with the children and their families. 2. Building Trust Each baby has individual biorhythmic patterns for eating, sleeping, and alert and fussy states that need to be respected. When baby's needs are met consistently, a pattern or routine emerges that develops a sense of trust and security. 3. Reading Cues Understanding a child's ability to communicate through emotional signals is not always easy. The emotionally available caregiver is able to match cues to a child's feelings and needs and responds appropriately. 4. Respecting Differences Learning about differences in temperament and the general development of each child is a critical component in being able to provide quality child care. 5. Roadblocks The day-to-day care of children is filled with joy and difficulties. Sometimes, without realizing it, a provider can become angry. If these negative emotions are not expressed in a calm and controlled way, they become roadblocks to relationship building and can lead to poor management and care. 6. Emotional Refueling Emotional energy is something caregivers use all the time. Caregivers need to find ways to replenish this energy and take care of their own needs. Caregivers who take care of their needs are better able to meet the emotional needs of children. 7. Power of Shared Positive Emotions Babies understand and will respond to emotional signals from birth. Positive emotional sharing is essential to relationship building and leads to feelings of closeness, confidence, trust and acceptance. 8. Floortime Based on a process developed by Dr. Stanley Greenspan, caregivers learn the importance of providing individual playtime with each child and how to make emotional connections to help the child learn and become more autonomous. 9. Learning the Do's Infants and toddlers want desperately to belong and to please, and they need to learn rules to fit in socially. Music, rhythm, and rhyme are powerful tools for helping young children learn pro-social behaviors. 10. Interdependence Interdependence is when two people experience a unique sense of commitment and belonging to one another. Understanding and respecting a child's need for both dependence and autonomy is critical in an emotionally responsive relationship. Developing feelings of interdependence with colleagues can enhance a caregiver's commitment to professionalism.

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