ITERS- 3 and 2-page Summary Paper (200 Points or 20% of grade) Due 7/9/24 before 9:00 PM
Infant/Toddler Environmental Rating Scale- 3rd ed (ITERS-3) Or you may use the 2nd edition (ITERS-2):
Each student will observe a licensed infant toddler center and rate it using the ITERS-3 (See attached readable pdf schoorsheet below). This visit typically should last for 3 hours. Visiting an Early Head Start is a good idea, but call and arrange your visit well in advance. The ITERS-3 or ITERS-R may be checked out in the library for up to four days or it may be purchased in the bookstore at the beginning of the semester. All 33 items must have a score between 1 and 7 or N/A and give at least two sentences explaining why the score was given. (33 items x 2 sentences = 66 sentences; thus you should have 66 sentences total.) A video is available to view on how to use this instrument.
Each student may either fill out the electronic pdf or print, scan, or take a photo, and email the score sheet -OR- you do not need to turn in your scoresheet, but you may turn in a 2-page paper with the score for each of the 33 items (N/A is acceptable) and 2 sentences per item explaining the reason for your score. You choose how you want to submit this!
You will find that due to COVID-19, things have changed in the infant/toddler care environments.
For example:
ITERS item 19 (Dramatic Play) 3.1 states that “At least 4 age-appropriate dramatic play toys are accessible, including dolls and soft animals.” (*Soft dolls, soft animals, )
COVID- 19 regulation #31 states, “Toys that are not easily cleanable are not used, such as fabric toys and toys without smooth surfaces. Sensory tables should not be used if the items are not easily cleanable.”
Here is another example:
ITERS item 1 (Indoor Space) 3.1 states that “Enough indoor space for children, adults, and furnishings. (*Enough indoor space means… if the room is used for napping, cots or cribs could be placed at least 18” apart without eliminating a reasonable amount of open space for play.
COVID- 19 regulation #29 states, “Bedding and cribs are placed at least 6 feet apart during naps and head-to-toe positioned.”
Let’s see if things are still “different” due to Covid. Hopefully, this should be an interesting assignment even though the ITERS scores may be lower than there were prior to Covid-19.
