Massachusetts Early Learning Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers

Location: Massachusetts, US

Authors: Massachusetts Association for the Education of Young Children

The purpose for the Massachusetts Early Learning Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers is to provide a comprehensive view of the development of infants and toddlers while documenting the experiences that support this development. The Early Learning Guidelines have been developed with a focus on relationships between all significant people in a child’s world. The Guidelines were also consciously developed considering the importance of both males’ and females’ interactions with children.

The intent of the Guidelines is to provide a shared language and experience between parents and early education and care professionals, to enhance the partnership and result in the optimum outcomes for infants and toddlers. The Guidelines serve as a resource, designed to support young children in all settings: in their own homes, others’ homes, licensed child care, early intervention programs, Early Head Start, or in private, faith-based programs.

The Early Learning Guidelines have been written as guidelines, not checklists for developmental strides. They provide a research-based knowledge of typical child development and recognize that all children develop at a different pace and follow varied patterns of development. The Guidelines are intended to empower educators to support children as they grow, and to seek intervention when needed.

For more information, visit the Massachusetts Early Learning Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers website.