Developmentally Appropriate Practice Essay

Knowing and understanding young children's characteristics and needs, from birth through age eight.
Introduction
Developmentally Appropriate Practice, also known as DAP, is a method of practices used to teach and enhance learning in young children. It is based on the development of children from birth to age eight. In exploring DAP educators learn the practice allows for continuity and change because as it guides early learning it incorporates new ideas and strategies as well as knowledge and tested science research all in relation to learning and development of children (Bredekamp, 2009). So what do we know about Developmentally Appropriate Practices? We know that all the domains are important. We know that domains follow a sequence, for example, social factors highly influence cognitive development, and the cognitive domain influences the social domain. We know that the rate of development and learning is different for
We know that early experiences have huge impacts on development and learning. We know that learning results from continuous interaction. Development proceeds to a bigger complexity of abilities. Children develop and learn best when they have constant, secure relationships with their caregivers, teachers, parents, and peers. "We know that social and cultural domains are influenced within learning and development" (Bredekamp, 2009). We know that children engage in learning in a variety of ways. Play is an important way for children to learn and develop self-regulation. When children are challenged through practice, we know that learning and development occurs. We know that children's behavior is shaped by their experiences, learning and development. As an early childhood professional involved with young children, we will make many decisions regarding the children in our care, so it is essential in guiding those decisions that we understand the meaning and the practices of DAP. Developing