1

Running Head: DAP Paper Wagenfer

Developmentally Appropriate Practice Paper:

Philosophy of Early Childhood Education

Virginia Wagenfer

Chesapeake College
2
DAP Paper Wagenfer
Abstract

Developmentally appropriate practices can be defined as an approach to teaching young children

that is grounded in theories of child development and learning which requires teachers to

consider all aspects of development, according to A Practical Guide to Early Childhood

Curriculum. These aspects include physical, cognitive, social, and emotional areas of

development. Developmentally appropriate practices, DAP for short, were designed to meet

children where they are to allow them to reach goals that are challenging yet can be achievable.

This allows for more practical learning fitting more to the student’s levels, allowing for practical

growth. Some characteristics that describe DAP is that it is a program aimed at the growth of

young children, but at their own pace, using age-appropriate learning materials. It allows for the

children to control their learning by discovery and exploration, or as we know “play-based

learning”. This also allows for healthy growth in children’s learning as it fits the child’s abilities

and behaviors without overstepping with complicated and over challenging goals. A key factor in

DAP is play-based learning.

Child-guided play, or play-based learning, is an approach of learning that is at the level of the

children. This allows for the children to learn through playing, which is more likely to make

them engaged to an activity since it would be more fun for them. Studies show an increase in

academic learning in all aspects (science, literacy, math. Etc.) when playing. An educated-

oriented perspective suggests that play-based learning gives students the opportunities to explore

new vocabulary and language usage that can later support reading and writing development

(Fesseha, Pyle, 2016). While the children play, they are presented with new materials and toys,

in which they can learn how to use them and learn what they are, in the same sense that they are

gaining knowledge on new vocabulary. Not only are they vocabulary and language, they are also
3
DAP Paper Wagenfer
developing communication, problem solving, logic, and social skills. As observed, most children

enjoy playing with other children and making up games. During their play time, they would be

presented with opportunities to communicate problems and ideas to the other children they are

working with; developing those skills listed above. A researcher stated, “…They are enhanced

through play. It is when the kids think learning is fun that they actually succeed” (Fesseha, Pyle,

2016). Child-guided play can be seen as a developmentally appropriate practice due to the fact

that it is completely child-centered; teachers are only there to step in as guides.

Students Philosophy of Education

Education is put into place to expand the minds of individuals. Children, in this case, are held to

certain standards and those standards are there to do the expanding. When children are asked to

reach a certain point, they must work their way there through problem solving and learning new

concepts. Education is so, so important to children, especially when they are just beginning

school at very young ages.

I still believe that children learn best when their needs are met. Children will not respond or pay

any mind to someone if they are lacking in other areas; such as the location, their nutrition, etc. It

is hard to determine what conditions children have to be taught under, because it should be

centered around the individual children rather than categorizing all students one way. I say this

because if we look at how students in elementary school were taught 20 years ago, it is very

different than how they are taught today, and that is because new methods were developed so the

teachers had to accommodate these changes and apply them to their classrooms. I did not include

much on children with special needs and that is because of the lack in knowledge on how to

accommodate those students. In regard to family involvement; I strongly believe that

parents/guardians should play a heavy role in these young children’s lives because that is who
4
DAP Paper Wagenfer
they need most at this age in their learning development. An engaged family increases the

success rate of the child, which is why the family should be involved every chance they can be.

Included in my curriculum are of course the basics such as science, math, language/literacy, art,

etc. Certain aspects that have become more important in the curriculum is the development of

gross and fine motor skills, and social emotional skills. These were not things that deemed on me

as super important to a child’s learning only because I did not have much background knowledge

on why they were so important. Now that it has been brought to my attention, I see that these

contribute to the children’s social, emotional, intellectual and physical development, as well as

all of the other aspects that contribute to these. I see why and how developmentally appropriate

practices are extremely important and how they contribute to a healthy learning environment.

Children are presented with achievable goals that have some challenges to them, but most

importantly, the goals are on their level and are meant for that specific age group.

An environment that promotes learning is a safe and fun environment. The children must know

that they are safe the entire time they are at school, or wherever their learning environment may

be. Reassuring the children by telling them they are safe at school or “you cannot do this because

it is not safe” will help the children understand that they are in a safe learning environment. A

fun and loving learning environment is another way to promote learning. No child wants to go to

school in an environment such as Principal Trunchbull made in the movie Matilda. Every child

wants to know they are accepted and loved and can have fun while learning. Some features in the

environment included fenced in schoolyard, safe playground equipment (nothing broken), warm

and welcome classroom.

The basic rules I would implement in my classroom would be the children must be respectful to

their peers and adults at all times, nothing less would be tolerated. The children must always
5
DAP Paper Wagenfer
have their listening ears on, in order to follow directions and so they do not miss out on anything.

Another rule would be to follow directions the first time they are asked. As I have noticed with

many young children, they tend to do what they want when they want. Those are habits I would

like to break to show the children how to properly behave when at school, but since these

children may be very young, it will take some time to get used to. I can expect the children to be

unkind at times, but to fix that, I will talk to the child and explain to them how unkind words and

actions make other friends upset and hurt their feelings. In order to properly facilitate these

behaviors in the classroom, they must be provided with examples and visuals, therefore I will

show the children how they can properly handle these behaviors. For example, if a child gets

upset and frustrated, I would show the child how to take a deep breath, pause from what they

were doing, and give it a try in a few more minutes, but allow them some time to think it through

and to calm down. Having open conversations with the parents about their child’s behaviors will

successfully relay information back and forth, that way the parent does not miss out on what is

happening while the child is at school. Handwritten notes where the parent has to sign it is an

effective way for the parent to see directly what happened if the teacher is not there to tell them,

and that way it doesn’t have to come secondhand from another teacher.

Teachers must possess a variety of different qualities, all in which shape how they are in the

classroom and working with children. An important quality of a teacher is that he or she must be

willing to continue their education consistently. Curriculum is always changing, as well as the

children themselves are always changing. They must learn new ways to adapt to both. Teachers

must also be willing to participate in activities outside of work, but work-related events. Suppose

one of their students was given an award for a picture they drew in your class; as a teacher, it

would make a huge difference to that child to show up to the award ceremony as that child’s
6
DAP Paper Wagenfer
teacher. Other work-related events school be school fundraisers or open-house. Teachers have to

be dedicated individuals who love what they do, because we need teachers in the world who love

to teach and inspire young children.

Copple, C., & Bredekamp, S. (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood

programs serving children from birth through age 8. Washington, DC: National

Association for the Education of Young Children.

Eliason, C. F., & Jenkins, L. T. (2016). A practical guide to early childhood curriculum. Boston:

Pearson.

Fesseha, E., & Pyle, A. (2016). Conceptualising play-based learning from kindergarten teachers’

perspectives. International Journal of Early Years Education, 24(3), 361–377.

[Link]

Milteer, R. M., Ginsburg, K. R., & Mulligan, D. A. (2012, January 01). The Importance of Play

in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bond:

Focus on Children in Poverty. Retrieved from

[Link]