Developmentally appropriate practices

DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE PRACTICES

APPLE DAY

A Frightening Conclusion… I have come to a fr ightening conclusion.

I am the decisive element in the classroom. I t is my per sonal appr oach that creates the climate.

I t is my dai ly mood that makes the weather . A s a teacher I possess tremendous power to make

a child’s life miser able or joyous. I can be a tool of tor ture or

an instrument of inspir ation. I can humiliate or humor , hur t or heal.

I n all situations it is my response that decides whether a cr isis will be escalated or de-escalated,

and a chi ld humanized or de-humanized. — D r . H aim G. Ginott

DIP Lesson vs. DAP LessonDEFINE (DAP) DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE PRACTICE

Nobody learns

anything sitting on

their bottoms!

Why DAP Works Tell me….

I forget

Show me….I remember

Involve me….I understand

Types of Learning ADULT DIRECTED

Teacher decides what to do and how to do it. Pre-cut, pre-drawn, instructions on how to assemble it.

File folder games

ADULT INITIATED Child has creativity, but adult initiates the idea of making

something and chooses the supplies to be used. paper, cotton, glue.. Now use these to make…

Children exposed to Adult directed learn to be non-risk takers, non-thinkers, and that they are incapable and dumb.

ACTIVE vs. PASSIVE LEARNING

CHILD DIRECTED, CHILD INITITATED, and

TEACHER SUPPORTED Child decides what to do, the idea, and the material to use. Adult follows the child's lead.

Levels of Teaching, Thinking, Learning, and Questioning

APPLE DAY

Developmentally Appropriate is: Age appropriate

Predictable sequence of stages used as a guideline

Individual appropriateEach child is unique in personality, learning

styles, and family backgroundChildren are evaluated according to their

individual differences. Based on observation and evaluation of

each child.

Developmentally Appropriate is:

Physical EmotionalSocialCognitive

Multi cultural and Non- sexist in activities, materials, and equipment.

ConcreteHands on, touch, manipulateLearn by do

RelevantInterests

Real

A variety of stimuli, activities, and materials to encourage uninhibited active exploration and investigation.

New Challenges or mysteries to solve on their own. Adults help kids too much.

“We have enough color by number people. We need more kids playing experimenting and running around.”

“Where does it say that our age is too old to play? Nobody does enough “baby stuff” anymore. It all begins with PLAY!!!”

Bev Boss

NOT TIME SCHEDULEDTime to explore as long as

the child wants.Free choice in which the child

can move freely between activities.

Balance of rest time and active movement throughout the day.

DAP Atmosphere is: Instead of quietly listening children should be

expected to actively participate. If the children are not questioning,

commenting, or interrupting, (appropriately) something is wrong.

High quality play is often noisy with laughter, questions, and talking.

Seed plant

QUALITY DAP TEACHERS KNOW THAT:

Children are active not passive learners. Children desire autonomy. Children are curious. Children are playful. Children are our future.

DAP Learning Centers• Most child care programs are designed with common

activity or interest centers in the room.• Areas should relate to the theme of the week.• Do not include every type of learning center every week• Be wise in your choice of areas, what you put in them,

and how you set them up.• By rotating the centers you will keep the children’s

interest.

Art• Promotes physical, social, emotional, and cognitive

growth in children.

Food and Nutrition Experiences• Involves preparing foods, setting the table, eating snacks

and meals, and cleaning up.• Provide skills that prepare children for an independent

lifetime.

Pre-Math• Should be hands-on, filled with play, and exploration.

Pre-Reading/Literacy• Allows for a more quiet, calm area in the child care center.

Science• Provides a way for children to learn about their natural

interests and excitement about the world around them.

Sensory

• Helps children use their senses.

Music• Provides opportunities to explore sound, rhythm, beat and

tone.

Dramatic Play

• Children love to pretend and play make-believe.

• This fantasy play provides opportunities for growth and development and encourages experimentation and discovery.

Blocks• One of the most important materials in a child care center.

Movement (Gross and Fine)• A natural way for children to express their energy.

Outside Play• Usually playground equipment but can use inexpensive

items also.

5 ingredients for DAP ACTIVE Child Initiated Learning

Materials…. For each child to use Manipulation…. Of the materials by the child, hands on interaction Choice…. By the child of what to do with the materials Language…. From the child talking about what they are doing, seeing, thinking Support…. From adults and peers.

Silent Observe Understand Listen -As adults we do too much talking and interfering

GUIDELINES FOR TEACHING:

2. Learning should be a walk of discovery, not a race to the finish line.

It should be a shared experience instead of teaching where something must be done by the teacher. Experience it together, child has much to offer.

GUIDELINES FOR TEACHING:

1. Make it fun. If your not having fun, you're doing something wrong & learning isn't happening.– Never drill, get angry & cold. – Teach excitement and enthusiasm for

learning.

GUIDELINES FOR TEACHING:

3. Child must be actively involved to learn. The object is not the story but the child's response to it that counts.

GUIDELINES FOR TEACHING:

5. Risk looking silly, loosing perfect discipline, and showing emotion.

6. Eye to eye contact. Sit so this can happen.

GUIDELINES FOR TEACHING:

7. Attention span: 5 to 10 min. on one thing. Change often.

8. Reward accomplishments - treasure box and certificates

HOW TO HELP A CHILD DISCOVER FOR THEMSELVES:

• Learning is not something we do to the child, it comes from within.

• A good learner:– loves learning– eager discoverer– wants to know

HOW TO HELP A CHILD DISCOVER FOR THEMSELVES:

• Know child inside and out.• Focus on what the child is feeling.

-Avoid putting adult ideas into children's heads.

HOW TO HELP A CHILD DISCOVER FOR THEMSELVES:

Be a skillful observer:• What most attracts the child's attention?• What action schemes is the child repeating?• What consequences is the child producing with his

actions?• What does the child say as he explores and who is

it directed at?• How does he cope with momentary distractions?• Does he integrate the actions of others into his

own play?

HOW TO HELP A CHILD DISCOVER FOR THEMSELVES:

• Listen carefully to questions asked by the child. It contains an assumption about the world held by the child & gives the teacher ideas for learning encounter.

• Play with the child and imitate, thus the child will imitate you.

HOW TO HELP A CHILD DISCOVER FOR THEMSELVES:

• Present novel variations on the theme.• Change the play to expand it,

unobtrusively introduce new ways of doing things.

• Be a source of challenge and exploration.

What the Educator Does:• ENGAGE: Create interest & curiosity• EXPLORE: Encourage learner to work, act as a

consultant.• EXPLAIN: Learners explain and justify learning.• ELABORATE: Apply & expand to alternate

explanations.• EVALUATE: Observe and assess learners and

learners can assess their own learning.

In each category, who is doing most of the work?

Teacher

Student

Student

Student

Teacher

What should you teach a 3 year old?

• colors• Shapes• Matching• Categorizing• Seriating• Self help - dressing

What should you teach a 4 year old?

• ABC‘s• Numbers• Address• Phone #• Write name