Toddler bids and teacher responses

Abstract

Fifty toddlers from low-income families were observed in Title XX day care centers. Each child was observed for a total of 80 minutes. From the behavioral records every toddler communication attempt with teachers was coded into one of five categories, and teacher responses to each type of toddler bid were coded into nine categories, thus providing two links in a toddler-adult communication chain. Almost three-quarters of the toddler communication attempts were to seek help or gain attention. There were relatively few negative/distress or seeking information bids. Caregivers responded with positive techniques to approximately 60% of the toddler bids. Adults did not respond to 21.4 percent of the bids. Specific training suggestions for toddler teachers are generated based on these ecological data.