
Infant Curriculum
Infant Curriculum Overview
*Age Group:** 6 months to 18 months
**Focus Areas:** Sensory Exploration, Language Development, Social-Emotional Bonding, Cognitive Development, and Physical Growth.
**Daily Schedule**
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**7:30 AM - 8:30 AM: Arrival and Individual Attention**
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Activities: Greet each infant, one-on-one cuddle time, and soft music.
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Focus: Social-emotional bonding and creating a sense of security.
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**8:30 AM - 9:00 AM: Tummy Time and Gross Motor Play**
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Activities: Tummy time on mats, reaching for toys, and supported sitting.
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Focus: Strengthening neck, back, and arm muscles; encouraging motor skills.
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**9:00 AM - 9:30 AM: Diapering and Feeding**
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Activities: Diaper changes, bottle feeding, and introducing solid foods (age-appropriate).
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Focus: Physical care, nutrition, and nurturing interactions.
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**9:30 AM - 10:00 AM: Sensory Play**
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Activities: Touch-and-feel books, soft sensory balls, and textured blankets.
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Focus: Sensory exploration and cognitive development.
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**10:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Music and Movement**
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Activities: Gentle swaying, clapping to rhythm, and listening to lullabies.
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Focus: Auditory development, rhythm awareness, and soothing movement.
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**10:30 AM - 11:00 AM: Storytime and Language Development**
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Activities: Reading simple board books, singing nursery rhymes, and talking to infants.
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Focus: Language exposure, listening skills, and early literacy.
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**11:00 AM - 11:30 AM: Nap/Rest Time**
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Activities: Soft music, dim lighting, and comfortable sleep spaces.
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Focus: Rest, growth, and emotional regulation.
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**11:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Individual Play and Exploration**
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Activities: Floor play with toys that encourage grasping, shaking, and stacking.
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Focus: Fine motor skills, cognitive development, and independent exploration.
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**12:00 PM - 12:30 PM: Diapering and Feeding**
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Activities: Diaper changes, bottle feeding, and mealtime.
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Focus: Physical care and nurturing interactions.
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**12:30 PM - 1:30 PM: Outdoor Exploration**
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Activities: Stroller walks, outdoor sensory play (e.g., feeling grass), and observing nature.
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Focus: Sensory stimulation, fresh air, and visual tracking.
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**1:30 PM - 2:00 PM: Language and Social Interaction**
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Activities: Face-to-face interaction, mimicking sounds, and simple sign language.
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Focus: Social bonding, communication skills, and language development.
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**2:00 PM - 2:30 PM: Nap/Rest Time**
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Activities: Quiet time with soft music or white noise.
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Focus: Rest and relaxation.
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**2:30 PM - 3:00 PM: Cognitive and Sensory Activities**
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Activities: Peek-a-boo, object permanence games, and exploring mirrors.
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Focus: Cognitive development, understanding cause and effect, and sensory awareness.
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**3:00 PM - 3:30 PM: Fine Motor Skills Development**
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Activities: Grasping rattles, stacking soft blocks, and finger play.
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Focus: Developing hand-eye coordination and fine motor control.
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**3:30 PM - 4:00 PM: Diapering and Feeding**
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Activities: Diaper changes and bottle or solid feeding.
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Focus: Physical care and routine.
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**4:00 PM - 4:30 PM: Sensory Relaxation and Bonding**
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Activities: Gentle rocking, infant massage, and soft sensory play.
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Focus: Soothing sensory experiences and caregiver-infant bonding.
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**4:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Departure Preparation**
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Activities: Calm activities like singing lullabies and individual cuddle time.
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- Focus: Transition to home, reinforcing feelings of security.
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**Weekly Themes and Activities**
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**Week 1: Exploring Textures**
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**Sensory Play:** Introduce various textured toys and fabrics.
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**Cognitive Development:** Encourage exploration of different surfaces.
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**Language:** Describe textures during play (e.g., "soft," "bumpy").
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**Week 2: Sounds and Music**
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**Auditory Development:** Play a variety of sounds (bells, shakers).
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**Music Time:** Introduce simple songs and rhythmic clapping.
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**Social-Emotional:** Use soothing music for calming and bonding.
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**Week 3: Colors and Visual Tracking**
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**Visual Development:** Use bright, contrasting colors in toys and books.
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**Language:** Name colors during activities.
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**Motor Skills:** Encourage reaching for colorful objects.
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**Week 4: Movements and Motor Skills**
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**Gross Motor:** Encourage crawling, rolling, and supported standing.
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**Fine Motor:** Introduce grasping and releasing activities.
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**Social-Emotional:** Provide plenty of encouragement and praise.
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**Developmental Goals**
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**Language Development:**
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Frequent verbal interaction, including naming objects, singing, and reading.
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Use simple words and sign language to support early communication.
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**Social-Emotional Development:**
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Foster a secure attachment through consistent and nurturing care.
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Encourage interaction with caregivers and other infants to develop social awareness.
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**Cognitive Development:**
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Stimulate curiosity through sensory-rich environments and exploratory play.
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Support understanding of object permanence and basic cause-and-effect relationships.
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**Physical Development:**
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Promote gross motor skills through tummy time, crawling, and supported standing.
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Encourage fine motor development with activities that involve grasping, holding, and manipulating objects.
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**Sensory Exploration:**
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Offer a variety of sensory experiences daily, including touch, sound, sight, and movement.
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Create opportunities for safe exploration of the environment.
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