About Developmentally Appropriate Practice

Developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) is a framework designed to promote young children’s optimal learning and development. To make decisions that reflect best practices, educators take into consideration what they know about

• Child development and learning
• Each child as an individual
• Each child’s social and cultural context

Grounded in both research on how young children develop and learn and knowledge about effective teaching, DAP is at the heart of all of NAEYC’s work and resources. Numerous books, booklets, and brochures about developmentally appropriate practice support educators and families in meeting children where they are and helping them attain challenging, achievable goals.

Supplements and Summaries

Key Messages of the Position Statement
Mensajes clave de la Declaración de posición