Learning Guidelines

Massachusetts Early Learning Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers

These guidelines were developed by the Massachusetts Association for the Education of Young Children (MassAEYC) for the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) in 2010. The purpose for these guidelines is to provide a comprehensive view of the development of infants and toddlers while documenting the experiences that support this development. The guidelines are for educators as well as parents.

The first three years of life are a time of rapid brain development and learning. This time becomes critically important for infants and toddlers as they develop foundations for learning.

Early learning and development are multidimensional. Developmental domains (categories or dimensions of children’s learning and development) are highly interrelated. Development in one domain influences development in other domains.

For more information about the guidelines, including definitions of terms, visit http://www.mass.gov/edu/birth-grade-12/early-education-and-care/curriculum-and-learning/.

The Talking and Listening activities focus on the following domains:

Language and Communication Development

  • Demonstrates the meaning of language by listening.
  • Develops expressive language.
  • Engages in social communication.
  • Develops in multiple language acquisitions when considered a dual language learner.

Cognitive Development

  • Refines reflexes into purposeful actions.
  • Develops memory skills. 

  • Performs simple actions to make things happen.

Social and Emotional Development

  • Relates to, trusts, and becomes attached to consistent educators.
  • Acts as a social being by engaging with others and the world around them.
  • Begins to regulate own feelings and behavior.
  • Develops a positive sense of self.

Approaches to Learning

  • Shows eagerness and curiosity as a learner.
  • Becomes intentional and persistent in their learning and discovery.
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