Learning Through Relating (LTR: Moreno, Sciarrino & Klute, 2008) is a comprehensive system for expanding learning for children birth to three. Developed through a partnership with OMNI Institute, the goal of Learning Through Relating is to increase age-appropriate structure and intentionality of infant-toddler caregivers. Funded by a Head Start University Partnership Research Grant from the Administration for Children and Families, this system is unique because it was expressly designed for infants and toddlers, rather than modified from a preschool version. Practices for this age group have not caught up with the near two-decades-old knowledge about the critical importance of brain growth in the first three years.

Learning Through Relating is being implemented at Clayton Educare.  We are using the curriculum with children and families in both the home-based and center-based programs. Implementation involves an initial training, regular “booster sessions,” and ongoing coaching with teachers and home-visitors. We’ve learned a great deal in the past two years, and results of our evaluation were recently presented at Head Start's Ninth National Research Conference.