Sound, Silence, and Rhythm: Supporting Infant & Toddler Language Beyond Words

This one-hour professional development training is designed for infant and toddler educators and meets Georgia DECAL Early Language and Literacy requirements. The training focuses on evidence-based practices that support early language and literacy development through sound awareness, rhythm, pacing, repetition, and intentional silence during everyday caregiving routines.Rather than centering on books or formal instructional activities, this session highlights how responsive interactions—tone of voice, timing, pauses, and vocal play—support infants' and toddlers' communication, self-regulation, and later literacy development.