As NAEYC defines it, developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) is a framework of principles and guidelines for best practice in the care and education of young children, birth through age 8. It is grounded both in the research on how young children develop and learn and in what is known about education effectiveness. The principles and guidelines outline practice that promotes young children's optimal learning and development.

The DAP framework is described in detail in NAEYC's Position Statement on Developmentally Appropriate Practice(PDF) released in 2009.

Developmentally appropriate practice is the foundation for all of NAEYC's work—publications and conferences, professional development/training, policy/advocacy, and accreditation of both college-level preparation and child care programs. 

• To learn more about DAP, visit The Core of DAP or our FAQs page.
• For NAEYC books, videos, brochures, and position statements on DAP, see Resources.
• For information on DAP training and professional development, including web-based learning opportunities, see Professional Development/Training.