5-Identify the elements of a developmentally appropriate environment.

There are many different elements that need to be considered when creating
developmentally appropriate environments. It is important to be reflective and
responsive to a young childs needs throughout the day. Implementing appropriate
practices is beneficial to the growth and development of the child. Developmentally
appropriate environments take into consideration many aspects including:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)

Health and safety

The physical environment
Language and literacy
The social emotional environment
Schedules and lesson plans
Parental involvement

Without a safe environment, children are not free to explore and learn. I learned in
Discussion Board #4 that rather than diminish childrens learning by redirecting
the time devoted to academic activities, play promotes key abilities that enable
children to learn successfully. In high level dramatic play, the collaborative planning
of roles and scenarios and the impulse control required to stay within the play
constraints develop self-regulation, symbolic thinking, memory, language, and
capacities critical to late learning of social competency and school success. Children
need structured and unstructured play. Play is the means by which young children
learn so much. There are strong links between creative play and language, physical,
cognitive, and social development. Play is healthy. When we observe a childs play
we can see exactly what they need to learn, we base our activity plans on what we
see, so children can learn and grow. Children learn to think, remember and solve
problems through play. I learned from NAEYCs DAP position statement that when
we use developmentally appropriate practices in effective teaching, we chose a
strategy to fit a particular situation. Teachers need to be flexible and observant. DAP
are grounded in research on how young people develop and learn which is called
effective early education. When we use DAP, children learn as individuals or groups
and help each child meet challenging and achievable learning goals. DAP is the
foundation of NAEYCs work. Three core considerations of DAP are:
1) Knowing about child development and learning-Is knowing what is typical at
each stage of early development is crucial.
2) Knowing what is individually appropriate-Is what we learn about specific
children helps us teach and care for each child as an individual.
3) Knowing what is culturally important-Is knowing a childs family and learning
about values, expectations, and factors that shape their lives at home helps
us provide meaningful, relevant, and respectful learning environments.
NAEYs stance on making a childs environment and activities DAP makes them
understand and learn. Teachers translate DAP into high quality experiences for
children. We address five key elements in developing appropriate environments:
1) Creating a caring community of learners

2)
3)
4)
5)

Teaching to enhance development and learning

Planning curriculum to achieve important goals
Assessing childrens development and learning
Establish reciprocal relationships with families

I learned from NAEYC-DAP position statement ten effective developmentally

appropriate practices for teaching strategies. They are:
1) Acknowledge
2) Encourage
3) Give specific feedback
4) Model
5) Demonstrate
6) Create or add challenge
7) Ask questions
8) Give assistance
9) Provide information
10)
Give direction
When we use DAP in our learning environments and activities, children understand
and learn. Developmentally appropriate environments encourage individual growth
and help children learn cooperation in a group. When we identify developmentally
appropriate environments we have to take into account the age and developmental
level of the child. I learned in NAEYC DAP statement each age group has DAP. A
few are:
1) DAP with infants, toddlers
Young infants see security, mobile infants are eager to explore and toddlers
are working on their identity. I agree relationships with families are crucial.
We learn from the experiences knowledge, culture and the child.

2) DAP with Preschoolers

Preschoolers learn best with positive and caring relationships with adults and
other children. Preschoolers have different strengths and at different levels. I
learned preschoolers need the right mix of challenges, support, sensitivity,
and stimulations. Teachers need to be observant and crate activities around
what we observe and document.

3) DAP with kindergarteners

Kindergarten teachers must engage in the social world of the classroom and
be intentional with their interactions and instructions. Kindergarteners go
through major shifts in the development of personal responsibilities, selfdirection, and logical thinking. I agree kindergarten can shape a childs
overall outlook on and engagement in lifelong learning. I believe kindergarten
should focus on what a child needs to learn not school readiness. With time
all children will become school ready.

4) DAP with the early primary grades

Primary grades benefit from hand on experiences. Children in this age group
need to see and make connections. I agree the key to fostering connections is
making learning fun. I learned children in this age group are eager for and
need explanations, illustrative information, direct instructions on /about a
new concept, and opportunities to practice a new skill. Children make gains in
every domain if given the appropriate time they need.
The Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards are standards that specify
developmental expectations for children from birth to first grade. WMELS reflect
attention to all the domains of a childs learning and development. The WMELS
provide a framework of developmentally appropriate expectations for young
children and should be used as a tool to help determine goals for children based on
their developmental age level and implement plans for developmentally appropriate
environments and experiences that support childrens approach to learning and
accomplishing goals. When we develop lesson plans, the five domains of the WMELS
should be recognized:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)

Health and physical development

Social and emotional development
Language development and communication
Approaches to learning
Cognition and general knowledge

Developmentally appropriate environments take what a child already knows and

enhances the environment so the children learn and prosper. Young children grow
best in the context of relationships and community. Through DAP and WMELS
environments are adapted to what children need to learn and at their own
developmental level.