Wednesday Words- DAP

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Wednesday Words

Where each week we will look at the words that define us. 
 
DAP- Developmentally Appropriate Practice.  This is a term you will hear frequently in early childhood education.  This term means that the actions you are taking are within the appropriate developmental range for the children in your care. 

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) wrote a position statement on DAP in 1987 after noticing the trickle of expectations to younger children that is inappropriate for their developmental level. NAEYC set forth to establish these guidelines and continue to reevaluate them for those in the early childhood field. You can find out more about your specific age group and their expectations by searching the NAEYC website.  http://www.naeyc.org/

How does this influence your classroom?  With each action you take in your room you should evaluate whether it is DAP or not.  While this sounds like a lot of work it will become second nature.  If you are unsure if an activity, center, or your communication is DAP you can look online at the NAEYC website to check for specifics.  If you are unable to get to a computer you can simply look at the reactions of the child.  You want to ensure that they are challenged, but not frustrated with an activity.  If they are bored you may need to enhance the activity.  If they are frustrated you may need to give them more assistance.  We will talk more about this in future Wednesday Words posts.

 

Do you have a term you’d like to know more about?  Tell me!

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