Developmentally Appropriate Practice Case Study

My role as a nursery teacher at Zeeba Daycare can have a very big impact on the development of children in my classroom. It is well known that children often observe what others do and many times will imitate actions they have observed, so it is very important that I set a good example and be a good role model as I could set a good foundation for the development of a child’s behaviour and morals. It is important to teach children that all people are important and valuable, no matter what their gender, race, ability or background is and that it is important to respect and support others that are different to us. Therefore I can affect their development in many good ways by

The program’s philosophy is based on the NAEYC’s guidelines on developmentally appropriate practices and Froebel, Piaget, and Gardner’s early learning theories. We believe that every child can learn and grow with the proper care and instruction. The NAEYC defines practices as developmentally appropriate when they consider age and stage related differences, individual differences in learning style and preferences, and social and cultural differences among children (Kostelnik, Soderman, & Whiren, 2011). For this reason we believe that the best way to ensure positive development is to adapt the materials, activities, and the mode of demonstrating learning to meet the varied needs of our students.

Developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) involves educators making informed decisions grounded in research to challenge and motivate children to meet attainable goals (Copple & Bredekamp, 2009). In the video, Morning Circle at Preschool, children appear eager to participate in the morning routine. DAP was noted, as well as some actions that are in contrast to DAP.

. The blue classroom met DAP practices in that the furniture was sized appropriately to the ages of the children that were in that classroom (approx. 4-5yrs) and in the way classroom was arranged. The centers were easy to access and they were arranged so

1. A developmentally appropriate practice to help and 18 month old to understand be safe rule is presenting a puppet show. For example I would present 3 puppets, One teacher puppet and two toddler puppets. One of the toddler puppets would demonstrate running back and forth in the classroom. The teacher puppet would then explain to the two children the basic ground rules of being safe. Teacher puppet would also mention to the toddler puppets that running in the classroom can give us ouchies. And now the toddler puppets would have a better understanding of being safe.

To understand the whole child you have to understand the pieces which create a whole and balanced child. Development of social and emotional needs, physical needs, language learning needs, and cognitive development needs all come together cohesively to create a whole child. The best way to encourage and educate the whole child is through play because all needs for developing the whole child can be met during play. The keys to creating a whole child play environment is by incorporating age appropriate toys and materials into centers created by using development appropriate practices. The DAP’s (development appropriate practices) are created by investigating and identifying the child’s current stage of development. Once you identify where they the child is developmentally, you encourage and aide the child in learning and growing through play by using the DAP’s. Each part of the whole child’s needs must be investigated and identified before you can create a successful whole child environment. The child’s present cognitive abilities and struggles must be identified, you should know what physical abilities or struggles the child is facing, the child’s language needs must be identified, and last but definitely not least is the social and emotional needs. To

In order to respond this question, we must first review the history of Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) and Early Childhood Education (ECE). Although ECE has been around since the creation of kindergarten in the 1800’s, the decade of the 1980’s was an important period for ECE. “By the 1980’s, meta-analysis of the well-designed US projects offered compelling evidence on the positive outcomes of [early childhood education and intervention]” (Woodhead, 2007). Therefore, there was much pressure to improve the state of education, including ECE. “The decade of the 1980’s saw numerous calls for widespread school reform, with changes recommended in teacher education, graduation requirements, school structure, and accountability measures” (S. Bredekamp, R.A. Knuth, L.G. Kunesh, and D.D. Shulman, 1992). At this time, there was an increasing concern about the quality of early childhood education for the influx number of families that needed it. This led the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) to “begin planning a national voluntary accreditation system for early childhood programs”(NAEYC, 2014). With this planning came a need for a more specific description with regards to accreditation guidelines. Therefore, NAEYC issued a formal statement defining DAP.

In an effort to maintain trust, transparency, and professionalism transparency among the players, parents, and organization, communication serves as the main platform. Both verbal and written plans and expectations are necessary to adequately inform each individual. At the start of the program it is necessary to verbally explain the expectations of the player, the parent, and the organization, as each individual has in impactful role in ensuring the success of the program. This will be supplemented with written expectations and agreements as well as the program’s agenda. This ensures that parents know what their child is learning, the children know what to expect at practice and individuals within the organization are held accountable for following through with the completion of set agendas.

Several issues are discussed in the NAEYC position statement about Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP). The section points out three main areas that policymakers have addressed because they realize how important these areas are to an early elementary child.

Hi-Shandi- as you mentioned the most important pieces of DAP direct environment is how to work and speak with children, as a teacher based on what children need developmentally, by age and stage, individually and culturally to make the most of their educational experiences, and it is important skill for students at every age. Teaching children to do it on their own is the most effective method, because they experience it again and again, then they become to the solution, practice is the best way of learning. Observing and attending around the learning environment helps to assess how children involve to the activity and motivate them to do the activity eagerly when the teacher attend them.

Selecting and implementing Social Emotional Learning programs should follow after a consideration of ‘school needs, goals, interests and mandates; staff skills, workload and receptiveness; pre-existing instructional efforts and activities; the content and quality of program materials; its developmental and cultural appropriateness to the range of recipient student populations; and its acceptability to parents and community members (Novick, Kress & Elias, 2002).’ Social Emotional Learning efforts are implemented and it

1. Developmentally appropriate practice as defined by NAEYC is a “framework of principles and guidelines for best practice in the care and education of young children, birth through age 8. Children cannot perform tasks that they are not yet developmentally capable of doing and teachers have to be aware of this. One would not expect a one year old child to be able to write their name, not only because they are not cognitively able to understand this task, but also because their fine motor skills have not developed enough to hold a writing instrument. Therefore, most adults would realize this task is not developmentally appropriate. A kindergarten teacher, for example, can able to expect his or her students to know why it is necessary as

Developmental Psychology has widened my perspective and knowledge of the nature of development from humans’ infancy to adolescence and emerging adulthood. Although I have learned about biological, cognitive, and socioemotional processes and periods of development, I am especially interested in socioemotional development in infancy because it is the foundation for a child’s future development. That is to say, if children have a healthy socioemotional development from infancy, they will have a healthy life later on. By understanding the developmental process in infancy, I will be fully prepared when I have children or when my family’s members do.

The Responsive school approach, which emphasizes the social, emotional, and academic growth of students in a strong and safe learning environment. Communication is one of the most important things because if we communicate with our students as well with the parents we can achieve more. We have a higher chance of seeing our students succeeding. If a parent is having trouble with their children we can communicate with each other about what the best solution to this problem is. Also, if a student is getting bullied communicating with a teacher would help that problem stop as well. If you need help communicating with the teacher will come a long way and save so many troubles. If a student is struggling with a subject or with something and he/she lets the teacher or parents know we can solve the problem contrast if they do not say anything, nothing can be done. Family centered programs are also important because it can guide the parents in how they can get closer to their children and how it can help them teach about beliefs, values and principles. If a student knows what he/she is worth she will never have to wonder if he/she is good enough for something or someone. Working together as a family, spending time, and communicating with each other brings a successful marriage and a successful family that later on can be passed on. We need to understand that in the society we live in we face different cultural difference. Many people were raised differently from others and we need to

DAP stands for developmentally appropriate practices (Kostelnik). This means that the activities exposed to the children in the classroom are not overwhelming, or too difficult, for their skill level, but they are achievable, interesting, meaningful, and worth knowing for each individual child (Olsen). The resources I will use will be relevant to the children and appropriate according to the different families they come from and the community they live in (Olsen). My future DAP classroom will be safe for all children, look desirable, and have a stimulating atmosphere (Kostelnik). I seek to build wholesome relationships with the children and their families, so they are able to feel cared for and comfortable in the classroom, helping them progress as best they can (Olsen). The children will learn through self-directed play, centers, hands-on involvement, large/small groups, and routine (Olsen). Different activities are provided for the children on a daily basis where they can make choices, use their creativity, and have opportunities that help them understand the world around them (Olsen). It is my job as the teacher to provide diverse activities, strategies and teaching layouts that focus on the development of the whole child to help each individual learn in a plethora of ways (Olsen).