Looking At The 3rd Edition of Developmentally Appropriate Practices

The new third edition of Developmentally Appropriate Practices begins with a section called "Key Messages of the Position Statement". In many ways discussing these key messages dispels some of the myths held by those who do not understand what these practices are and therefore do not view them as important.

Under the heading "What Is Developmentally Appropriate Practices?" the book states "DAP does not mean making things easier for children. Rather, it means ensuring that goals and experiences are suited to their learning and development....." Many adults who state that they don't worry about DAP explain that one of the reasons why is that what is done in the classroom is too easy and does not meet benchmarks or standards.

Under that same heading it also states that "Best practice is based on knowledge-not on assumptions-of how children learn and develop. The research base yields major principles in human development and learning..." Again, those who state that they don't agree with DAP state that it is just someone's opinion disregarding the scientific research and duplication of that research's initial results.

Remember, you can secure a copy of this book at www.naeyc.org under the topic Publications.

Reponding to Those Who Say DAP Does Not Work

One of the best articles out there to assist with replies to those who say DAP does not work in real life is found in the NAEYC publication Young Children the July 2005 edition "Yeah Buts That Keep Teachers from Embracing Active Curriculum:Overcomeing Resistance." Written by Eugen Geist and Angela Baum from Ohio State University. You can get a copy of this article at http://www.naeyc.org/. Click on Publications, Past Publications and July 2005.

It addresses seven of the many excuses used by teachers to explain why they do not utilize developmentally appropriate techniques in their classrooms. For example: Yeah, I think a developmentally appropriate curriculum is best, But the teacher at the next level is not going to teach that way, and I don't want to confuse the child. It seems to me that even if that statement is true it would be a reason why you would want to be developmentally appropriate to better prepare that child to learn more independently so that when teachers are inappropriate later on the child can deal with the ineffective teaching approaches better. The article states that "Positive classroom experience can never be negative." and "Children are not confused with different teaching styles. The high-quality, positive experiences that you give a child in your classroom has a lasting effect."

Print the article, read it over regularly and have a response on the tip of your tongue when you hear the Yeah Buts. I would like to know what you think about the article.