What's the difference between an activity and an experience? One is meant to pass the time, the other to last a lifetime. In Infant and Toddler Experiences, Fran Hast and Ann Hollyfield have assembled a guide to making the most of caring interactions with children. An experience, they write, allows a child -- even an infant -- to figure out how something works, rather than having an adult do it all. These experiences are founded on a free-form process of learning through repeated interaction, which is then combined with the exploration of a caring, rich environment. This builds trust between a child and caregiver, while also giving each child a chance to choose her own approach to experiences that promote development.

Focusing on what Hast and Hollyfield call the "Three C's" -- curiosity, connection, and coordination -- each of the experiences is described simply, including the materials that are needed and the procedures to keep in mind. In addition, specific strategies are listed with each experience to,help caregivers promote the healthiest development in infants and toddlers.