VA Infant & Toddler Specialist Network

09/03/2026

Our specialists are here to help. From strengthening teaching practices to building responsive, meaningful interactions, our specialists provide support and professional development designed to help early care and education programs grow.

Ready to strengthen your practice? 📈✨ Connect with a VA ITSN specialist today and explore the resources available to support your program!

09/01/2026

For early caregivers, creating an inclusive environment means giving every child the support and space they need to learn, play, and connect with others.

You can support inclusion by:
🌱 Making activities and materials accessible
🤝 Encouraging children to join their peers
💬 Communicating clearly and allowing extra time to respond
⭐ Recognizing each child’s strengths and successes
🔄 Keeping routines and interactions consistent
💛 Treating every child with respect

When children learn and play together, they build confidence, friendships, cooperation, and an appreciation for differences.

Need support creating an inclusive environment? Connect with a VA ITSN specialist or explore our resources for practical tools and guidance: va-itsnetwork.org/inclusive-child-care/

08/24/2026

New to teaching infants or toddlers? You don’t have to figure it out alone. 💙

VA ITSN provides individualized support to teachers at VQB5 sites who have 12 months or less experience working with infants or toddlers. Support focuses on building foundational knowledge, strengthening teaching practices, and improving teacher-child interactions.

If you’re a teacher or director at a VQB5 site, learn more about how VA ITSN can support your team.
🔗 va-itsnetwork.org/

08/24/2026

📖💙

Shared storybook reading is more than a cozy routine. It creates opportunities to talk, listen, ask questions, and connect with your child. 💜📚

A 2026 study published in Pediatric Research found that children who were read to more frequently scored more than 5 whole points higher in communication at age 3 than children who were rarely read to!

That’s a big difference from something as simple as sharing a book together. 📖 So grab a book and make some time to read together!

08/14/2026

Interested in adding a new skill to your early childhood toolkit? 💙

Infant Massage Certification Training is coming up this September with multiple training dates available. Check out the training details and see if it’s a good fit for you or your team!

08/13/2026

Virtual training makes professional development easier to fit into your schedule! 💻✨

Looking to build your skills, learn new strategies, or bring fresh ideas back to your infant and toddler classroom? Check out our August training calendar for upcoming virtual learning opportunities.

Find a training that fits your schedule and save your spot today! 👉 https://bit.ly/4htExhm

07/31/2026

Are you looking for extra support in your infant or toddler classroom? 💙

We're here to help educators grow with personalized coaching, practical guidance, and support that fits your schedule.

Learn more about our coaching services: va-itsnetwork.org/

07/15/2026

✨ It’s Time to Elevate Your Classroom. ✨

Infant and toddler classrooms thrive when teachers have the support, tools, and guidance they need to succeed.

Through one-on-one coaching, hands-on strategies, modeling, feedback, and reflection, we work alongside teachers and directors to create individualized goals that support meaningful growth and improved CLASS outcomes.

Find your Infant & Toddler Specialist today! 🔗 va-itsnetwork.org/

07/13/2026

Word of the Day 🧩

💡 Here's a hint: It's Virginia's statewide quality system designed to measure and improve the quality of publicly funded birth-to-five early childhood programs. It helps ensure children receive high-quality learning experiences while supporting educators through professional growth and continuous improvement.

--
Answer: VQB5! It stands for the Unified Virginia Quality Birth to Five System.

06/22/2026

New to working with infants or toddlers? Our coaching is designed to make that process feel less overwhelming.

Teachers with 12 months or less experience receive individualized coaching, practical resources, and guidance aligned with the Infant or Toddler CLASS® tool. 📝

With flexible coaching options and support tailored to your classroom, we're here to help you build confidence in creating meaningful interactions that support Virginia's youngest learners. Connect with our coaches today! va-itsnetwork.org/