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, …

Developmentally Appropriate Practice National Association for the Education of Young Children Each and every child, birth through age 8, has the right to equitable learning opportunities—in …

Nov 11, 2025 · The DAP framework is grounded both in the research on child development and learning and in knowledge about educational effectiveness and promotes young children’s …

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.

NAEYC’s guidelines and recommendations for developmentally appropriate practice are based on the following nine principles and their implications for early childhood education professional …

Therefore, in addition to identifying guidelines for early childhood educators, the statement makes specific recommendations for policies and actions needed to support educators as they strive …

The following guidelines for DAP address decisions that early childhood professionals make in six key and interrelated areas of practice.

Developmentally appropriate teaching practices encompass a wide range of skills and strategies that are adapted to the age, development, individual characteristics, and the family and social …

Developmentally appropriate practice requires early childhood educators to seek out and gain knowledge and understanding using three core considerations: commonality in children’s …

Which DAP Resource Is for Me? 3 Core Considerations of DAP Audience: Teacher Topics: Curriculum, Assessment, Classroom Management, Curriculum Development, Other Topics, …