Teaching with Intent or Purpose

One of the major ideas that has been added in the new edition of the Developmentally Appropriate Practices book is making sure that everything that you do in the classroom has a purpose. There should be purpose in how your classroom is organized and for the materials in your classroom. There should be purpose in the activities that are carried out in your classroom and in the adult interactions with the children.

If documented on a regular basis this purpose fits nicely with the need for accountability today in our teaching. The first section of the online course on Developmentally Appropraite Practices focuses on purpose called "intentionality". Text, interviews and video examples clearly outline what is meant by this new idea. So far I believe this training is well worth the expense and time invested to complete it.

DAP Online Training

NAEYC is offering a "five-part, web -based, interactive learning opportunity" that compliments the new edition of the DAP book. Members are able to gain a coupon to discount the $60 cost to $48. Check it out at http://www.naeyc.org/DAP/pdt

I have signed up to go through the program. I will keep you updated on my progress and let you know what the course includes. You are given a window of three months to complete the program.

A New Edition of the Developmentally Appropriate Practices book!

The new third edition of Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs is an exceptional resource for those of us who believe in developmentally appropriate practices. If you have read the previous editions you will recognize the familiar position statement at the beginning of the book. However, the support materials offered in the rest of the book have changed. The use of the term "intentional" appears over and over throughout the new edition. The dictionary defines intentional as resulting from a purpose. Of course our purpose here is to make sure that our endeavors with children are presented in developmentally appropriate ways.

Another major change is in the example sections for each age group. The table is organized with "developmentally appropriate" in one column and "in contrast" in the other column as opposed to "inappropriate" which was found in previous editions.

The book also comes with a great CD to use on your computer with summaries of the basic ideas of dap and video clips used as examples. If you have never read this book I would strongly suggest you do so. If you have read previous editions I would strongly recommend investing in securing this new edition. You will be glad you did! The website for the National Association for the Education of Young Children is located to the right of this post.

The Goal of This Blog

I have been assisting aspiring teachers in understanding and implementing developmentally appropriate practices in the classroom for close to thirty years. When I began I was working on a Certificate in Early Childhood Education at a junior college level myself and over the years have continually expanded my academic knowledge to further develop my skills in assisting others.



I have been fortunate in the aspect of my career where I worked with children to hold positions in environments where my supervisors and colleagues shared my passion for developmentally appropriate practices. Unfortunately, not many of those I have strove to assist have had that luxury. Many have supervisors and colleagues who say developmentally appropriate practices do not work in the real world only in theory in a college classroom and on paper.



I know developmentally appropriate practices works in the classroom. I have applied it for close to thirty years working with children of all ages from infants to adolescents.



The goal of this blog is to provide support for those who are working in environments where developmentally appropriate practices are not respected or implemented. Don't give in and don't give up. Hang in there! I will be here to listen, provide suggestions and resources where I can. My hope is that other readers will listen and provide suggestions also where they can.



Remember the future is in our hands.