Developmentally Appropriate Practice for Educators

An effective early childhood educator chooses a strategy to fit a particular situation. This infographic shows 10 strategies to support DAP in early childhood classrooms.

Developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) requires early childhood educators to seek out and gain knowledge and understanding using three core considerations: commonality in children’s development and learning, individuality reflecting each child’s unique characteristics and experiences, and the context in which development and learning occur. This part of the DAP Position statement outlines how the core considerations apply to all aspects of educators’ decision-making in their work to foster each child’s optimal development and learning.

Illinois STAR NET podcasts provides a variety of opportunities for personal and professional growth for those who touch the lives of young children, ages birth through eight, with an emphasis on children with special needs. STAR NET supports family-centered, researched and effective practices in early childhood education and care. In this podcast series, produced by STAR NET Regions I&III, we provide various informational episodes focused on our workshops, current topics, and other concepts focused on working with young children with special needs.

Each and every child, birth through age 8, has the right to equitable learning opportunities—in centers, family child care homes, or schools—that fully support their optimal development and learning across all domains and content areas. This Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) Position Statement outlines how programs, educators, and policies can support the optimal development and early learning of young children.

This article, geared towards early childhood educators, explains how Developmentally Appropriate Practice is rooted in child development and can be used as a decision-making tool in the classroom.

This page contains a link to download a tip sheet regarding developmentally appropriate practice in teaching young children.

Based on the principles of child development, the following guidelines address decisions that early childhood professionals make in six key and interrelated areas of practice: (1) creating a caring community of learners; (2) engaging in reciprocal partnerships with families and fostering community connections; (3) observing, documenting and assessing children’s development and learning; (4) teaching to enhance each child’s development and learning; (5) planning and implementing an engaging curriculum to achieve meaningful goals; and (6) demonstrating professionalism as an early childhood educator.

This Young Children article shows how early childhood teachers can use developmentally appropriate practice in their classrooms, as well as explain to other professionals and parents why they choose to support children’s learning using DAP.

This appendix to the Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) Position Statement explains the history and context of DAP from the mid-1980s to 2020.

Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) is a term often used when talking about young children, but what does it really mean? This edition of News You Can Use explores the meaning behind DAP and working with infants and toddlers.