The matching or gearing of the reading curriculum to children's developing abilities.
The manner in which children are provided opportunities to learn and practice newly acquired skills, offering challenges just beyond their present level of mastery and taking place in a setting where children are safe, valued and where physical and psychological needs are met.
child care that includes materials, activities, and staff expectations of children’s behavior that are appropriate for a child’s stage of development and that support the child’s development and learning.
An educational program based on age-appropriate, developmental, and individual needs of each child, emphasizing learning as an interactive process.
Developmentally Appropriate Practice tells us that the learning that takes place for an infant is fundementally different than that for a toddler or preschooler, which is equally distinct from the learning that takes place for a kindergartener or 1st grader. In other words, the learning opportunties that are created for a child of one age can not simply be a watered down or simplified version of what is offered for older children. This requires service providers and advocates with an accumulation of knowledge and skills that are unique to the developmental needs of young children.
Developmentally appropriate practice (or DAP) is a perspective within early childhood education whereby a teacher or child caregiver nurtures a child's social/emotional, physical, and cognitive development by basing all practices and decisions on (1) theories of child development, (2) individually identified strengths and weaknesses of each child uncovered through authentic assessment, and (3) the child's cultural background as defined by his community, family history, and family structure..
