Intentional Practice with Infants and Toddlers

Sheila Degotardi is a Professor of Early Childhood Education in the School of Education, Macquarie University, Sydney. Sheila specialises in the nature and importance of infant–toddler pedagogies and learning in early childhood education centres. Drawing on over thirty years' experience as an early childhood teacher and researcher, she is strongly committed to supporting early childhood services, teachers and educators to provide rich learning opportunities for our youngest children. With a deep interest in relationship-based pedagogies, Sheila investigates the nature of social interactions between children, their educators and peers to consider how these interactions contribute towards very young children's learning. Central to this is a deep appreciation of how the social, communicative and cognitive capabilities of very young children and their educators collectively shape the learning experiences that take place in infant–toddler settings. Andi Salamon is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Education at the University of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. Andi draws on decades of interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education ('ECE') professional experience as a practitioner and leader in her current work. Taking a respectful, reciprocal and participatory approach, Andi is keenly interested in sophisticated infant cognitive, social and emotional development and how these come together in holistic communicative practices. A passionate advocate for the reality of young children's lives as the starting point for transformational ECE pedagogy, Andi incorporates her research into her current teaching to uphold infants' rights to quality ECE. She keeps children and families at the front of her mind in her work and encourages pre-service teachers, colleagues and early years leaders to do the same. Tina Stratigos is a Lecturer in the Sydney School of Education and Social Work at the University of Sydney. Drawing on her experience as an early childhood teacher and researcher, Tina is committed to supporting future teachers to become confident and knowledgeable practitioners, leaders and advocates for pedagogy that supports very young children to flourish. Central to this is an interest in the role of professional experience placements in initial teacher education and how pre-service teachers can be supported to make connections between theory and practice in the real world and in early childhood settings. Tina's teaching and research is also influenced by questions about the impact of digital documentation technologies on how educators plan, implement and communicate curriculum while building meaningful partnerships with families.

• Introduction: right from the start; 1. Programs for infants and toddlers: the forces shaping contemporary practice; 2. Perspectives on quality; 3. Pedagogy as care; 4. Environments for learning; 5. Promoting physical health for holistic wellbeing; 6. Building emotional wellbeing; 7. Creating a language-rich environment; 8. Fostering knowing, thinking and theorising; 9. Social cultures and belonging; 10. Learning in and through the arts; 11. Assessing, planning for, and communicating learning.