Beautiful Beginnings, Second Edition

A Developmental Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers

Helen H. Raikes, Ph.D., Katlyn M. Hoggatt, M.Ed., Darcy D. Lenz, M.Ed.

Take a joyful, activity-based approach to enhancing the development of infants and toddlers with the new edition of this bestselling birth-to-three curriculum. Aligned with ASQ® and CDC developmental milestones, this extensive, research-supported curriculum includes more than 350 photocopiable, easy-to-use activity sheets that target eight key developmental areas.

Contains Companion Materials

• Product Details
• Reviews
• Contributors

Take a joyful, activity-based approach to enhancing the development of infants and toddlers with the new edition of this bestselling birth-to-three curriculum. Aligned with ASQ® and CDC developmental milestones, this extensive, research-supported curriculum includes more than 350 photocopiable, easy-to-use activity sheets that target eight key developmental areas. Carefully tailored for six different age ranges in the critical first years of life, these engaging experiences build on each child’s strengths and interests, expand on emerging developments, and encourage more progress in areas of concern.

The Beautiful Beginnings curriculum:

• Helps children progress in eight areas important to school readiness: Communication, Gross Motor, Fine Motor, Intellectual, Discovery, Social-Emotional, Self-Help, and Pretend
• Works in a wide variety of settings, including Early Head Start, center-based care, home visiting, and parent education programs
• Makes it simple and fun to track child progress with a photocopiable Goal Sheet for recording individual child objectives and child development Overviews and Experiences Charts for each age range
• Promotes parent/professional collaboration as they choose goals for the child and support progress
• Recognizes each child’s individuality by encouraging careful observation and reflection during goal selection

PRACTICAL FEATURES:

• Helpful overviews for each six-month age range, with recommendations for health, safety, and environmental preparations
• Downloadable, printable activity sheets
• Explicit alignments with CDC, ASQ, and the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework
• Guidance on variations and adaptations for diverse populations
• Up-to-date children’s book and music list

Reviews

Jane Squires, Emerita Professor, University of Oregon; Developer, Ages & Stages Questionnaires® - April 13, 2026

"Helen Raikes and her co-authors have thoughtfully expanded and refined Beautiful Beginnings, delivering a valuable and extensive resource for early childhood practitioners. These updated activities are imaginative, carefully crafted, and grounded in what we know about how infants and toddlers grow. Easy-to-use activity sheets target key areas for developmental and social-emotional growth and are linked to CDC Milestones and ASQ items. This book is a must-have for practitioners committed to nurturing the whole child from birth onwards."