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. Children are born eager to learn; they take delight exploring their world and making connections. The degree to which early learning programs support children’s delight and wonder in learning reflects the quality of that setting. 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.

Developmentally Appropriate Practice

Purpose

Statement of the Position

Defining Developmentally Appropriate Practice

Core Considerations to Inform Decision Making

Principles of Child Development and Learning and Implications That Inform Practice

Guidelines for Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Action: Using Knowledge of Child Development and Learning in Context

Creating a Caring, Equitable Community of Learners

Engaging in Reciprocal Partnerships with Families and Fostering Community Connections

Observing, Documenting, and Assessing Children’s Development and Learning

Teaching to Enhance Each Child’s Development and Learning

Planning and Implementing an Engaging Curriculum to Achieve Meaningful Goals

Demonstrating Professionalism as an Early Childhood Educator

Recommendations for Implementing Developmentally Appropriate Practice

Recommendations for Schools, Family Child Care Homes, and Other Program Settings

Recommendations for Higher Education and Adult Development

Recommendations for Policymakers

Recommendations for Research

Conclusion

Appendix A: History and Context

Appendix B: Glossary

Appendix C: Acknowledgements

Endnotes

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Developmentally Appropriate Practice: A Position Statement of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Copyright © 2020 by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. All rights reserved.