All Early Primary Content

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DAP: Defining Developmentally Appropriate Practice

NAEYC defines “developmentally appropriate practice” as methods that promote each child’s optimal development and learning through a strengths-based, play-based approach to joyful, engaged learning.
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DAP: Statement of the Position

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.
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DAP: Purpose

This position statement, one of five foundational documents developed by NAEYC in collaboration with the early childhood profession to advance high-quality early learning for all young children, defines DAP.
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Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP)

Educators who engage in developmentally appropriate practice foster young children’s joyful learning and maximize the opportunities for each and every child to achieve their full potential.
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Core Considerations to Inform Decision Making

Developmentally appropriate practice requires early childhood educators to seek out and gain knowledge and understanding using three core considerations: commonality, individuality, and experiences.
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Blog
October 16, 2020

The Distance Learning Toolbox Families Wish They Had

Throughout the pandemic, I have been reading articles and blogs about families and how they are coping. I decided to survey Black families (a group underrepresented in most of the accounts I read) and find out how they were doing and what they would find

Authored by

Authored by: 
Bweikia Foster Steen
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DAP: Conclusion

While many of the recommendations have changed considerably over the years, the primary focus of DAP remains the same: NAEYC emphasizes the importance of the relationships between children and well-prepared early childhood educators.
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