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Developmentally Appropriate Child Care

What does “developmentally appropriate” mean?

A “developmentally appropriate” or “developmental” child care environment is one in which the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of each child is considered when planning the program. Developmental appropriateness is generally defined within two guidelines:

• Age appropriateness-the universal, predictable sequences of growth in children (e.g. children scribble before they draw).
• Individual appropriateness—the unique sequence of growth of each child. This takes into account the personality, learning style and background of each child. (e.g. one child learns to walk at 10 months of age, another learns to walk at 14 months of age)

What is required of a teacher in a developmentally appropriate program?

• Understanding the normal stages of development of children.
• Assessing the individual development of each child.
• Planning a program that is fun and interesting to each child.
• Providing appropriate space, materials and opportunity for exploration.
• Observing the children and encouraging them to extend a particularly interesting activity.
• Implementing an environment that is safe, both physically and emotionally.
• Setting and enforcing reasonable limits for children’s behavior.

What do the children do in a developmentally appropriate program?

Children will spend most of their time in a developmental program engaged in play. As we watch them, we must remember that “play” is children’s “work”. The learning environment is designed by the teacher to ensure that, as they play, they are learning vital skills. Play provides children with opportunities to explore, experiment and manipulate materials in their world. Through play, the child is an active participant in the learning process. The goal of a developmental program is not to teach children through memory drills, but to enable them to become life-long learners.

             What does a developmentally appropriate program look like?          

                                           

A developmentally appropriate program is balanced. There will be loud, boisterous activities and quiet, calm activities. There will be opportunities for the children to work in large groups, small groups and individually. There will be indoor and outdoor activities. A developmental program is culturally sensitive; respectful and appreciative of the differences and similarities among individuals.

The classroom will usually be arranged in learning centers. While the entire classroom is designed to encourage development of skills, concepts, and social interactions, learning centers focus on particular areas. Learning centers are frequently coordinated to reinforce a particular concept or theme with the children. Common learning centers include:

• Block center
• Dramatic play center
• Library / writing center
• Art center
• Manipulatives (puzzles, beads, etc.) center
• Science center
• Listening center

In a Developmental Program, You Will Probably See…

• Children experimenting with a variety of art materials and constructing their own creations.
• A teacher helping a child to write his or her name on a paper and naming the letters as they write.
• Some children working in a large group while others work in a small group or individually.
• A teacher bending down to the child’s level to talk with him or her.
• A daily schedule that is well-planned, yet flexible.
• A teacher reading to a child or a group of children.
• Children pretending to be policemen, pizza delivery people, moms and dads.
• Children helping to prepare their own snacks.

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