From Biting to Hugging: The Social Development of Infants and Toddlers

Presented by Donna S. Wittmer, Ph.D., Consultant and Author, Emerita, University of Colorado Denver, Early Childhood Education
Sponsored by Gryphon House

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This edWebinar, presented by Donna S. Wittmer, Ph.D., Consultant and Author, Emerita, University of Colorado Denver, Early Childhood Education, encourages and supports teachers’ and consultants’ enthusiasm and knowledge concerning optimal social development of infants and toddlers with peers.

The development of social competence is one of the most important outcomes for children’s satisfaction with relationships, sense of well-being, and learning success. With guiding adults, infants and toddlers learn that adult/child and peer relationships are worthwhile, feel that they are good at “doing” relationships, and develop the skills necessary for social competence.

Adults are the ones who help children manage negative emotions and experience positive ones, so that social relationships with peers thrive. Adults thoughtfully support and encourage peer possibilities, interactions, and relationships. Teachers organize environments and plan activities with relationships and social development as a priority. They promote children’s well-being and peer relationships by reducing stress and by giving these very young children the gift of their attention, affection, comfort, and encouragement within the context of a relationship-based program.

In this edWebinar:

• Gain knowledge in how to support infant and toddlers’ social and prosocial development with adults and peers
• Learn strategies for helping children move from biting to hugging
• Experience the joy of helping young children feel their connection with humanity and learn the value of social relationships

Infant and toddler, and PreK teachers, mentors, and consultants will benefit from watching this recorded edWebinar.

About the Presenter

Donna Wittmer received her Ph.D. from Syracuse University in 1985. She taught classes at Syracuse University in child and family studies and then was a professor of early childhood/early childhood special education at the University of Colorado Denver for 17 years. She is a coauthor of the books, Infant and Toddler Development and Responsive Program Planning (4th Ed.), Endless Possibilities, (2nd Ed.), and The Young Child from Birth to 8 (7th Ed.), all published by Pearson. She and Deanna Clauson are coauthors of the book, From Biting to Hugging: The Social Development of Infants and Toddlers to be published by Gryphon House in spring, 2018. She is a fellow of ZERO TO THREE, has written numerous articles about infants and toddlers, and has presented at numerous NAEYC and ZERO TO THREE conferences.

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Gryphon House, Inc. is an award-winning publisher of early childhood resources for teachers and parents.