ITERS MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS

ITERS MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS A. USING BOOKS In order to score a yes for 3.1, a minimum of 6 appropriate books must be accessible, but no less than one book per child in groups where more than 6 children are allowed to attend on any day. To score a yes for 5.1, a minimum of 12 appropriate books must be accessible for much of the day and at least 2 books per child in groups of 7 children or more. All books must be in good repair, none of the accessible books can be violent or frightening. 5.2--Wide selection includes books about various topics: Provide picture books and stories about people of different races, ages and disabilities. Realistic pictures of common pets, farm animals and zoo animals, as well as nature & science. Provide stories about familiar routines, such as eating, sleeping, toileting or dressing. B. FINE MOTOR Infants: Rattles to shake and grasp (different textures, colors, shapes, with varying noises) Safe hanging things to bat at or to grasp Small soft grasping toys, such as animals, rings, or dolls Simple stacking rings Clean teething toys Large pop beads Cause and effect toys, which respond with sounds or other responses when buttons are pushed Toddlers: Containers to drop objects into Sets of manipulatives with larger than preschool-sized pieced, such as links, interlocking stars, medium sized interlocking blocks, or large beads to string Simple lacing toys Finger paints Large washable markers Puzzles with knobs and large pieces To give credit for 3.1 there must be 5 or more examples accessible for daily use (a functional set, rather than its individual pieces is considered one toy) 80% must be in good repair. 5.1 Many and Varied, (different skills)--numerous accessible materials even for a very small group, There should be no fewer than 10 toys for a group of 5 infants or 15 toys for a group of 5 toddlers and at least one additional toy for each child over that # in each age group. For ex. 10 fine motor toys would be considered many fine motor toys for a group of 4 younger infants, but would not be considered many for a group of 12 especially if they had to compete for use. 1

C. Art Materials Young Toddlers 12-23 months Large non-toxic crayons large paper taped to a surface (taped to table, easel, or wall) Non-toxic finger paint Large, non-toxic chalk on a chalk board Toddlers 24-30 months Watercolor markers Tempera paints Painting tools, such as paint brushes, of various widths with short handles Paper of different sizes and colors Easy to use blunt scissors Unbreakable chalk board w/chalk and erasers Play dough and tools Large self-stick stamps, stickers and tape Scrap paper and cut out pictures for collage with glue sticks 3.1-Some art materials--at least one art material in usable condition that will allow children to complete an art activity, used at least once a week, Or 5.1 Toddlers ages 12-23 months, materials must be offered to them at least 3x a week and for older toddlers 24-30 mos-- art activities must be available daily. D. MUSIC Types of musical materials include both toys and instruments. (Homemade or commercially produced) 3.1 Some--requires at least 2 items to be accessible 5.1 Many materials-- at least 10 musical toys,- The number required is based on a group size of no more than 10 children, if more than 10 are enrolled then at least one instrument for each child enrolled. Make sure that the musical toys actually make noises when used and are not missing the batteries or other parts needed to produce sounds. 5.4 Music needs to be played for a positive purpose. A positive purpose means that the music being played is not used to add sound or noise to the room, but rather to have a specific impact on the children. Ie: dancing, soothe to nap, to teach a new idea, or to encourage language development. Music is not to be played for long periods of time. Music should be played on intervals of less than 20 minutes through out the day for specific purpose. 2

E. BLOCKS Blocks must be 2 X 2 or larger to count for block materials. Small blocks under 2 and a bulk of blocks less than 2 will count as fine more materials. Interlocking blocks will be considered fine motor materials. Toddlers over 12 months 3.1 A set of blocks of a group of blocks of the same type, the set must contain a minimum of 6 blocks of the same type. 3.2 Some accessories means at least 5 of different types--small people, animals, (farm animals, pet animals, dinosaurs, or zoo animals) or small vehicles, Big trucks that toddlers use for gross motor and pretend play are not considered block accessories because they interfere with block building. 5.1 Two sets of blocks are required for this indicator, each set must contain 10 or more blocks of the same type accessible daily for much of the day. 7.1 3 different sets of blocks of 10 or more in each different set, accessible daily for much of the day. 7.2 Variety of accessories- at least 5 materials from each of the following categories: transportation toys, people, and animals. F. FURNISHINGS FOR RELAXATION AND COMFORT (COZY AREA) Examples of softness for children include: Provide furnishings such as wall-to wall carpeting, rugs, mats, soft couches or chairs, mattresses, futons, and cushions to use during play as well as soft toys of ANY SIZE OR TYPE. EXAMPLES OF SOFT TOYS: Cloth or vinyl covered foam blocks, cloth dolls, cloth toy animals, cloth puppets (puppets must be completely soft, and be made of plush materials, not thin cloth, with hard plastic body parts), Dolls can be completely soft or have soft bodies with plastic heads, arms and legs. Also counted are soft stuffed toys in other shapes such as trucks or boats, cloth or vinyl books are not counted as soft toys, but can be counted as books. 3.2 Accessible means at least 3 soft toys are within children's reach and that children are allowed to play with them. 5.1 Cozy Area: Credit can be given for a combination of the above items that are gathered together in an area. EX- a carpeted area with a mat, 2 pillows and at least 3 soft toys, or a soft chair, on carpet, with at least 3 soft toys. LARGE VINYL COVERED SHAPES, USED FOR CLIMBING, OR MATS USED FOR ACTIVE PLAY, WOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED COZY AREAS. 5.3- At least 10 soft toys for a group of 5 or fewer, and at least 2 per child in groups of more than 5. 3

G. DISPLAY FOR CHILDREN 3.1 At least 3 things must be displayed for children (they may be 2-dimensional pictures, 3-dimensiional objects or a combination of the 2)-Displayed where they can easily be seen by children. 5.1 No specific # of items is required for many because many small items, especially if grouped together, may not have as great an impact as fewer clear, large items. EX. -- a group of many small photos that are harder to see clearly might have less impact than fewer (but still many) large posters or pictures.--they should be simple and colorful. Post pictures throughout the room and not just on a bulletin board. 5.2 At least 2 three-dimensional objects displayed where children can easily see. IF MATERIALS CANNONT BE HUNG FROM CIELINGS DUE TO FIRE HAZARD REGULATIONS, THEN THEY CAN BE DISPLAYED IN OTHER AREAS, EX.- IN A WINDOW OR FROM A BRACKET ON THE WALL OR SHELF. 5.3 Many items means that the vast majority of the items on display, at least 75% including both 2 and 3 dimensional objects, are displayed where children can easily see them, and some within easy reach (50%). 5.4 Staff talks to children through out the day about the displayed materials. H. ACTIVE PHYSICAL PLAY Examples of appropriate materials and equipment: Infants:--outdoor pad or blanket, crib gym for younger infants, small push toys, balls, sturdy things to climb up on, ramps for crawling Toddlers-- riding toys, without pedals, large push-pull wheel toys, balls and bean bags, age-appropriate climbing equipment, slide, balance board, cushions or rugs for tumbling, tunnels, large cardboard boxes. 3.2 There is some space outdoors used for physical play for the infant/toddlers at least 3 times a week, year round, except in very bad weather. 5.1 Easily accessible outdoor area where infant/toddlers are separated by the older children and it is used at least 1 hour daily, year round except in very bad weather. I. DRAMATIC PLAY Infants: Dolls: Cloth, plastic, vinyl, wood, large or small, but of a size children can handle (must be intact) Soft Animals: Realistic-looking toy animals, such as vinyl or rubber farm animals, zoo animals, plush animal puppets, small cloth or vinyl, covered grasping toys in the form of animals. (all must be soft to count) 4

Pots and pans: usually plastic, but other safe materials are acceptable: includes pots, frying pans, kettles, tea pots (pot lids by themselves do not count as an example; may be realistic or fantasy), (may be accompanied by dishes, spoons, cups, but not required, cannot be substituted for posts and pans) Toy telephones: representing cell, portable, dial or push button, must reasonably look like a telephone- must have all parts. Toddlers: Dress up clothes: For toddlers only the simples of dress-ups are considered age-appropriate, and they must be safe for very young children to use. This means that they would not permit tripping, strangulation, or blocking of the air passage. Appropriate dress-ups include: Simple shirts or blouses for both men and women Dresses, skirts, jackets of older children that have been shortened for older toddlers simple footwear, such as adult slip-on shoes, sandals, slippers, shoes or boots made for older children Hats of many types Purses, baskets with straps or handles that will not fit over a child's head so they are not a strangulation hazard Commercially produced costumes made to fit toddlers Other dramatic play materials include: Child-sized house furniture (stove, sink, table, chairs, etc) Cooking/eating equipment Play foods Dolls Doll furnishings Soft animals Doll houses with furniture and people Toy buildings (farm, airport, schoolhouse, with furnishings and people) Toy telephones 3.1 Some age appropriate materials accessible materials including dolls and soft animals. 2 of each are required to give credit for some materials; 5.1 Many and varied age appropriate dramatic play materials accessible daily. Infants: 3-5 examples on the list of materials Toddlers: 2 or more of each example, and no more than 2 types can be missing. 7.1 Dolls representing 3 races and at least 2 other examples of materials that show diversity and all props must be associated with a positive image of the group represented. 5

J. SAND AND WATER (For children 18 months and older) Sand and Water play require the Provider to supply appropriate materials for this activity. Children playing in puddles and digging in the dirt outdoors does not count as sand/water play activities. There must be enough of the sand /water material so the children can dig, scoop, pour, and empty and fill containers. Dried beans, baby powder, flour, saw dust, small pebbles, styrofoam chips, corn meal and flour are not appropriate substitutes for sand because of the safety hazards they make to the children. 3.1 Some sand or water play provided outdoors or indoors at least once every 2 weeks. 3.3- Some toys- at least 2 toys for children to use with sand and water, toys include those that they can use to dig, scoop, fill, pour, and experiment with the materials as well as toys that extend dramatic play 5.1 Sand or water play at least once a week. SAND PLAY TOYS: Measuring cups and other unbreakable containers Funnels Plastic tubes Molds Scoops Pails, and shovels, rakes, sifters, sand or water-wheels, pipes, and toys that make patterns in sand, such as wide-toothed combs. (Above materials may be use for water play as well.) WATER PLAY TOYS: Sponges Things that sink or float Turkey basters Unbreakable spray bottles Dramatic play toys, such as animals, sea creatures, dolls, and boats K. NATURE/SCIENCE Provide books, pictures or toys that represent nature realistically. TOYS: Realistic plastic or rubber zoo animals, farm animals, insects Puzzles with realistic nature or science content Scent boxes or smelling containers Realistic plastic vegetables and fruits 6

Infant mat with realistic nature or science pictures Realistic animal-shaped rattles Mobile with realistic birds or butterflies that infants can play with Large magnets that toddler can experiment with and safe things for magnets to attract Magnifying glasses for older toddlers 3.1 Some-at least 2 from of the categories of pictures, books or toys 3.2 Science Materials accessible daily. 3.3 Opportunities to experience the natural world daily either indoors or outdoors. 5.1 Outdoor experiences with nature provided at least 2 times a week. Outdoor experiences must include living plants or/and animals. 5.2 Living plants or animals are located in the classroom or in an indoor area in the center that children visit on a daily basis. L. PROMOTING ACCEPTANCE OF DIVERSITY Materials in all areas will be looked at for positive representation of diversity in races, ages, abilities and gender in non-stereotype roles. ie: pictures, photos displayed, books, CD s, music tapes, videos, computer software, dolls, puppets, games, puzzles, people in block area, etc. 3.1 3 examples of racial or cultural diversity must be observed. The examples must be from different materials showing diversity in a positive way. Ie: A. Dolls, Books, and CDs B. Dolls, Books, Multicultural Play Foods C. Multicultural Dress Up Clothes, Posters, Puzzles 5.1 MANY- books, pictures and materials, (can include, dramatic play food, puzzles, clothing or props, and puppets-this indicator does NOT include dolls) AT LEAST 10 EXAMPLES- from the following categories: Races cultures Ages abilities Gender 5.2. Dolls representing at least 3 races accessible.(small toy people that are often used with blocks are considered dolls, and can be given credit in 3.1 and 5.2) Resources: A) ITERS Revised Edition: Harms, Clifford, Cryer; Teacher College Press Publishing, New York and London, 2006. B) All About the ITERS-R: Harms, Cryer, Riley; Teacher College Press Publishing, New York and London, 2004. 7