By Megan Pittsinger (Assisted with ChatGPT)
We’re excited to announce that the Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scale, 3rd Edition (ITERS-3) Online Self-Paced Professional Development Course is now available in the PD Registry! This course is designed to support early childhood professionals in enhancing the quality of care and learning experiences for infants and toddlers.
What is the ITERS-3?
The ITERS-3 is a program observation instrument used to assess the quality of care in environments for infants and toddlers, from birth to 36 months. It evaluates key areas, including caregiver-child interactions, health and safety, learning materials, and overall quality. The ITERS-3 is used by early childhood educators and administrators to strengthen programs and provide quality care for young children.
Key Differences Between ITERS-3 and ITERS-R
The ITERS-3 introduces several important updates:
- Updated Items and Indicators: The ITERS-3 includes new criteria that focus more on responsive caregiving and positive interactions between caregivers and children.
- Focus on Responsive and Intentional Teaching: The ITERS-3 places a greater emphasis on intentional teaching and language interactions with children as they use materials, fostering meaningful learning experiences and supporting early language development.
- Continued Evaluation of Environment Impact: The ITERS-3 continues to evaluate how the environment, including teachers, impacts children’s daily experiences. Aspects such as indoor and outdoor space, materials, health and safety practices, language and interactions, and the structure of daily events are still considered in the assessment.
- Accessibility of Materials: While the phrase “much of the day” is no longer used in the ITERS-3, children still need access to a variety of materials throughout the observation period. The scale’s accessibility requirements now focus more on the experience and developmental needs of each age group enrolled in a classroom.
- No Interview Required: Unlike the ITERS-R, the ITERS-3 does not involve an interview. Instead, it is based on a time-limited, 3-hour observation, offering a more practical and direct approach to evaluating quality.
- Alignment with National Standards: The ITERS-3 is aligned with current national guidelines, ensuring it reflects the latest standards in early childhood education.
Why Take the ITERS-3 Course?
This online self-paced course will help professionals understand and apply the ITERS-3 in their own settings, enhancing caregiving practices and creating enriching environments for infants and toddlers.
Ready to get started? Register now in the PD Registry (papdregistry.org) and take the next step in improving the quality of care you provide!