Child Care Basics
  • Child Care Training
  • Log In
  • Washington Child Care Courses
  • HIV Bloodborne Log-In
  • Need Help
    • About Us
    • Agenda
    • Child Care Licensing Guidebook
    • Certificate Info
    • Exiting the Training
    • Glossary
    • Grading System
    • Lesson Plans for Young Learners
    • Passwords
    • Terms of Use
    • Testimonials
    • The Trainers
  • Child Care Training Online
Sentry Page Protection
Please Wait...
Student Login Student Login Hi, (First Name) Member Area | Log Out
Student Login
Welcome, (First Name)!

Forgot? Show
Log In
Enter Member Area
(Message automatically replaces this text)
OK
My Profile Not a member? Sign up. Log Out

Module 4: Curriculum and Learning Environments

Developmentally Appropriate Practice

Module 4 Menu

Page 22


Developmentally appropriate practice, often shortened to DAP, is an approach to teaching grounded in the research on how young children develop and learn and in what is known about effective early education.

Its framework is designed to promote young children’s optimal learning and development. DAP involves teachers meeting young children where they are (by stage of development), both as individuals and as part of a group; and helping each child meet challenging and achievable learning goals.
It is the responsibility of the early learning program to offer an assortment of culturally relevant activities, experiences and materials that are based on developmentally appropriate practice or DAP.  Developmentally appropriate practice supports the belief that all children are unique and progress through predictable ages and stages at their own pace.  It is the provider’s job to make sure that the activities, materials and experiences are appropriate for each child in your care.

To engage children in active, meaningful learning, it is important that you:
  • Foster positive self-identity and a sense of emotional well-being.
  • Develop social skills and knowledge.
  • Encourage children to think critically, reason, question and experiment.
  • Enhance physical development and skills.
  • Encourage and demonstrate appropriate health, safety, and nutritional practice.
  • Encourage creative expression, representation and appreciation for the arts.
  • Develop a sense of belonging to the natural environment.
  • Ensure the materials and practices of your program reflect the backgrounds and current practices of the children and families enrolled.
  • Respect and celebrate cultural diversity.

As you have learned in previous modules, each child has unique patterns of timing and growth.  You will have children in your care with a range of temperaments, learning styles, experiences and family and cultural backgrounds.  Programs adapt for differences among children by providing a variety of materials and activities that support children’s individuality.  While you will be asked to plan for groups of children, it is also important to think about the individual needs of children.  

Some things to keep in mind when planning:
  • The developmental range in your group
  • The children who have interests or skills outside the age range of the group
  • Children with special needs who require modifications to the activities
  • The opportunity for children to repeat activities
  • More small group activities

It is also important to consider:
  • How to store and display materials
  • What the daily schedule will look like and how to balance the routine
  • What is necessary to include in lesson plans for children
  • If the planned activities are better suited for indoor or outdoor environments

As children move through their daily routines and activities engaging with appropriate materials, caregivers should help children understand the world around them.  Caregivers can increase children’s language acquisition by asking meaningful questions and adding information to extend children’s learning.  Meaningful questions invite children to wonder, and to respond with more than a simple “yes” or “no.”  Questions can help them learn to solve problems and think critically about what they are engaged in.  Handout 6 offers examples of the differences between asking thoughtful questions versus simply giving the child information.

Providers demonstrate knowledge of developmentally appropriate practice by selecting materials that are engaging for the children in their care, and following daily structured routines.  “Ultimately, the truest measure of developmentally appropriate practice is seeing children joyfully, physically, and intellectually engaged in meaningful learning about their world and everyone and everything in it.” (Copple & Bredekamp, 2009). 

Picture
You May Print or Save Handouts for Reference
* Handout: Ask Meaningful Questions vs. Giving Simple Information

    Asking Meaningful Questions

Submit







Back
Next Page

Coursework is submitted to us live, as you complete each page. An optional checklist is available to keep track of your progress. Use the menus to return to where you left off in the training. If you need help, click on the Student Support Chat on the bottom right corner of the page.

Alternate links for pop-ups:
Handout 6: Ask Meaningful Questions vs. Giving Simple Information


Enroll in New Course
Register
Terms of Use
State Approved Training Reimbursement
Contact Us
Online STARS Courses
Apply for STARS ID
HIV AIDS Bloodborne Log-In

New Enrollments Set-Up​
Monday - Friday        7  am – 8  pm 
Saturday & Sunday   9  am – 8  pm

Holidays                      9  am – 8  pm
Live Chat and Email Support
support@cdastars.com

Monday - Friday              7:00 am – 8:00 pm 
Saturday and Sunday    9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Holidays                          10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Phone Support
(360) 602-0960

Monday - Friday         7 am – 6 pm 
Saturday & Sunday    Email and Chat Only

Holidays                       Email Support Only  
Registrations that are submitted after enrollment hours will be processed the next morning.  You will receive an email with your log-in information to access the course within an hour after we open the next business day.

Successful Solutions Training in Child Development
Address: PO Box 727, Burley, WA 98322-0727  * www.cdastars.com
Copyright 2017.  Successful Solutions Professional Development LLC.  All Rights Reserved. Updated April 2, 2017
30 Hours Basic STARS Training
Student support 7 days a week, including most holidays! 


STARS Training Requirements * DEL MERIT * STARS ID Numbers * Certificates * STARS Scholarship 
* STARS Credits Washington State  *  CDA CEU Course Accreditation * Sample CEU Course * DEL MERIT Approval * DEL Safe Sleep
Enrollment Center * Contact Us * Child Care Cours​es * CDA Training* CDA Renewal Training * What Browser am I Using?

 #inservice hours for #childcare #childcaretraining #certificate #cdacertificate #childdevelopment #trainingonline Child #carecourses from home #onlinechildcarecertificate child #carecourses #basicstars #starscertificate #30hoursSTARS  #WashSTARS #WashingtonInservice #MERITtrainer #ECEcoursesonline  ‪#childcarecourses #inserviceforchildcare #preschoolteacher #starstraining #infantteacher #Childcareresources #preschoolcurriculum #ECEcoursesonline   
  • Child Care Training
  • Log In
  • Washington Child Care Courses
  • HIV Bloodborne Log-In
  • Need Help
    • About Us
    • Agenda
    • Child Care Licensing Guidebook
    • Certificate Info
    • Exiting the Training
    • Glossary
    • Grading System
    • Lesson Plans for Young Learners
    • Passwords
    • Terms of Use
    • Testimonials
    • The Trainers
  • Child Care Training Online