The Circle Infant & Toddler Teacher Training: Play with Me Series consists of five courses that include multiple strategies for supporting infant and toddler development. The courses can be recommended as part of a Continuous Improvement Plan (QCI), or specialists and teachers can register for them independently to grow their skills and knowledge. They can serve as the core content for any training or coaching model that seeks to improve the quality of interactions in infant and toddler classrooms.
In these online courses, learners see instructional strategies through videos of teacher-child interactions, learn more about common child development theories, hear from experts on frequently asked questions, track child developmental milestones, and much more! This course series offers clock hour certificates, continuing professional education (CPE) certificates, and continuing education units (CEU)!
The Texas ITSN offers numerous webinars and PLCs demonstrating how trainers and coaches can use these courses as the core content in your training toolkit.
Learn More About the Course Series
Texas ITSN SpecialistToolkit Resources
Click on the tab below on the left to access the Specialist Toolkit containing resources for each training course topic. You will find:
- Companion Workbooks: A reference guide for learners, these workbooks include written summaries of core content from the course and opportunities for self-reflection.
- Connect to Classrooms: These activities provide teachers with guidance on how to practice specific strategies from the courses. Specialists can use Connect to Classrooms if they seek ways to structure practice sessions with their teachers.
Talk with Me: LanguageRead with Me: LiteracyConnect with Me: Social and EmotionalLearn with Me: CognitiveMove with Me: Physical
Talk with Me: Promoting Early Language Development
View on CLI Engage
The Talk with Me course includes three parts.
COMPANION WORKBOOK
The companion workbook for this course series is broken out by course part. Click below to access the workbook.
Download Talk with Me Workbook
CONNECT TO CLASSROOMS
Click each strategy below to download the Connect to Classroom for that strategy.
Part 1 Strategies
Part 2 Strategies
Part 3 Strategies
Pacing Encourage Conversation Invite Participation Scaffold
LANGUAGE & COMMUNICATION DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES
Language developmental milestones are presented in Part 1 of the Talk with Me course.
View Language Milestones Access the full Developmental Milestones Checklist
Read with Me: Promoting Early Literacy Development
View on CLI Engage
The Read with Me course includes two parts.
COMPANION WORKBOOK
The companion workbook for this course series is broken out by course part. Click below to access the workbook.
Download the Read with Me Workbook
CONNECT TO CLASSROOMS
Click each strategy below to download the Connect to Classroom for that strategy.
Part 1 Strategies
Read with Enthusiasm Share Control Invite Interest Talk about Pictures Encourage Participation
Part 2 Strategies
Practice Fine Motor Rhythm and Rhyme Link to Experiences Point Out Print Model Writing Use Props and Extenders
EARLY LITERACY DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES
Early literacy developmental milestones are presented in Part 1 of the Read with Me course.
View Literacy Milestones Access the full Developmental Milestones Checklist
OTHER RESOURCES
Connect with Me: Promoting Social and Emotional Development
View on CLI Engage
The Connect with Me course includes five parts.
COMPANION WORKBOOK
The companion workbook for this course series is broken out by course part. Click below to access the workbook.
Download the Connect with Me Workbook
CONNECT TO CLASSROOMS
Click each strategy below to download the Connect to Classroom for that strategy.
Part 1 Strategies
Express Warmth Comfort Children in Distress Label Feelings Back and Forth Play Use Praise
Part 2 Strategies
Be Predictable Redirect Undesired Behaviors Follow Routines Help Children Share Space Support Turn Taking
Part 3 Strategies
Talk about Connections Talk about Feelings Promote Positive Interactions Build Emotional Understanding Offer Prompts
Part 4 Strategies
Model Prosocial Behaviors Provide Cues Offer Choices Explain What Comes Next Help Resolve Peer Conflicts
Part 5 Challenging Behaviors
Infant Distress Separation Anxiety Stranger Anxiety Tantrums Saying No Hitting, Kicking Biting Not Sharing Toys
SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES
Social and emotional developmental milestones are presented in Part 1 of the Connect with Me course.
View Social and Emotional Milestones Access the full Developmental Milestones Checklist
OTHER RESOURCES
Social and Academic Outcomes – Summary
Recommended Children’s Book List
Challenging Behavior Cards (English)
Challenging Behavior Cards (Spanish)
Learn with Me: Promoting Early Cognitive Development
View on CLI Engage
The Learn with Me course includes three parts.
COMPANION WORKBOOK
The companion workbook for this course series is broken out by course part. Click below to access the workbook.
Download the Learn with Me Workbook
CONNECT TO CLASSROOMS
Click each strategy below to download the Connect to Classroom for that strategy.
Part 1 Strategies
Promote Sensory Exploration Encourage Observation Encourage Effort and Persistence Maintain Children’s Attention Encourage Imitation
Part 2 Strategies
Explain and Demonstrate How Things Work Talk About Sequence Engage Children in Math Activities Model and Join in Pretend Play
Part 3 Strategies
Promote Flexibility in Thinking Model Problem Solving Aloud Scaffold Children’s Learning by Simplifying Scaffold Children’s Learning by Adding Challenge
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES
Cognitive developmental milestones are presented in Part 1 of the Learn with Me course.
Access the full Developmental Milestones Checklist
OTHER RESOURCES
Move with Me: Supporting Early Physical Development and Health
View on CLI Engage
The Move with Me course includes two parts.
COMPANION WORKBOOK
The companion workbook for this course series is broken out by course part. Click below to access the workbook.
Download the Move with Me Workbook
CONNECT TO CLASSROOMS
Click each strategy below to download the Connect to Classroom for that strategy.
Part 1 Strategies
Engage Infants in Tummy Time Provide Supported Sitting Promote Gross Motor Skills Promote Fine Motor Skills
Part 2 Strategies
Respond to Physical Needs Talk About Nutritious Foods Teach Safety Words & Actions Teach Body Parts & Their Functions Model & Encourage Expression of Internal States Model & Encourage Self-Care Skills
HEALTH AND MOTOR DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES
View Health and Motor Milestones Access the full Developmental Milestones Checklist