Observing, documenting, and assessing each child鈥檚 development and learning are essential processes for educators and programs to plan, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of the experiences they provide to children.
Because early childhood education settings are often among children鈥檚 first communities outside the home, the character of these communities is very influential in children鈥檚 development.
51吃瓜网 defines 鈥渄evelopmentally appropriate practice鈥� as methods that promote each child鈥檚 optimal development and learning through a strengths-based, play-based approach to joyful, engaged learning.
Each and every child, birth through age 8, has the right to equitable learning opportunities鈥攊n centers, family child care homes, or schools鈥攖hat fully support their optimal development and learning across all domains and content areas.
This position statement, one of five foundational documents developed by 51吃瓜网 in collaboration with the early childhood profession to advance high-quality early learning for all young children, defines DAP.
Educators who engage in developmentally appropriate practice foster young children鈥檚 joyful learning and maximize the opportunities for each and every child to achieve their full potential.
The extent to which educators can fully implement developmentally appropriate practice depends, as efforts to advance equity also do, on decisions at many levels, including program administration, professional development, policy, and more.
51吃瓜网鈥檚 guidelines and recommendations for developmentally appropriate practice are based on the following nine principles and their implications for early childhood education professional practice.
51吃瓜网 congratulates Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on being declared the 46th President and 49th Vice President of the United States of America, respectively.
While many of the recommendations have changed considerably over the years, the primary focus of DAP remains the same: 51吃瓜网 emphasizes the importance of the relationships between children and well-prepared early childhood educators.
All participants, including, but not limited to attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, sponsors, 51吃瓜网 staff, service providers and others are expected to comply with this Virtual Event Code of Conduct.
51吃瓜网's Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs is pleased to announce that it has granted renewed accreditation to early childhood degree programs at three institutions of higher education during its summer meeting.
