Nursery World - To the point: Babies' right to choose

An interesting debate about group times arose among a group of nursery managers and trainers I was with recently.

The starting point was the American-designed Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale (ITERS), which awards a low score in part of the 'Progamme Structure' scale if children under three years old are obliged to take part in a group activity. The implication of the scale is that it is better practice to allow toddlers to come and go freely, depending on their interest.

I agree with ITERS. Toddlers and babies can enjoy action songs, rhymes and books in small groups, and these can all contribute to their sense of being part of a group, and to their language development. But I do not feel that it is necessary to oblige them to join in.

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