Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP)
DAP (Developmentally Appropriate Practice)
What is DAP?
DAP refers to providing an environment and offering content, materials, activities, and methodologies that are coordinated with a child's level of development and for which the individual child is ready. Three dimensions of appropriateness must be considered:
Why is it such a big deal?
When our best practices are developmentally appropriate, we are maximizing the learning opportunities for children. When our practices are NOT DAP, we may actually be 'getting in the way' of children's learning.
Example: If an Early Childhood Educator is expecting toddlers to be able to sit still for a 20 minute group time, he/she will likely see toddlers moving around and trying to leave the circle because this expectation is NOT developmentally appropriate for children this age (see #1 above Age appropriateness).
Discussion: Joy of Learning
Weekly Written Assignment: DAP Mind Map
From the Online Library
Learning Environments
Discussion: Popular Learning Space
Weekly Written Assignment: Components of Learning Environments
From the Online Library
Daily Routines and Schedules
Discussion: Daily Routine
Weekly Written Assignment: "A Day in the Life of my Child" Parent Resource
From the Online Library
Helping Babies and Toddlers Learn by 
Learning Together with Young Children by 
The Importance of Play in Early Childhood Education by Infants and Toddlers
Discussion: Calendar Time for Infants
Weekly Written Assignment: Infant or Toddler Lesson Plan
From the Online Library
Preschoolers and Young School-Agers
Discussion: Kindergarten Readiness
Weekly Written Assignment: Preschool and Young School-age Lesson Plan
From the Online Library
Characteristics of Effective Early Learning: Helping Young Children Become Learners for Life by 
Simple Stuff to Get Kids Self-Regulating in School by Family Engagement and Partnership
Discussion: Reciprocal Relationships
Weekly Written Assignment: Curriculum Night Newsletter
From the Online Library
Communicating Effectively and Meaningfully with Diverse Families by 
