Guidelines for Developmentally Appropriate Practices

Decisions that early childhood professionals make in the early childhood classroom are guided by five (5)  key and interrelated areas of practice:

  • Creating a caring community of learners
  • Teaching to enhance development and learning
  • Planning curriculum to achieve important goals
  • Assessing children’s development and learning
  • Establishing reciprocal relationships with families

For each of the following examples determine if  developmentally appropriate practices is being following or not. Put the letter of the practice next to the example that is being demonstrated and none if the example is in contrast to the guidelines.

Question 1
Large class sizes or the shifting of children from class to class.





 

Question 2
Teachers actively seek to ensure all children are included in the social relationships, play and learning experiences of the classroom.





 

Question 3
Teachers provide writing materials in various interest/play areas and in a designated space where children can always find a variety of materials for their writing.





 

Question 4
Teachers plan activities that give children a motivation to engage in writing.





 

Question 5
Teachers use a variety of methods/ tools, recognize individual variation among learners, and allow children to demonstrate their competence in different ways.





 

Question 6
Assessment is primarily administered separate from children’s usual activities.





 

Question 7
Recognizing children’s natural curiosity and desire to make sense of their world and gain new skills, teachers consistently plan learning experiences that children find highly interesting, engaging and comfortable.





 

Question 8
Seeking to motivate children, teachers rely heavily on external rewards (stickers, privileges, etc) or chastise children for their mistakes or shortcomings.





 

Question 9
Teachers communicate with parents only about problems or conflicts and thus parents have little relationship with teachers.





 

Question 10
Parents are welcome in the early childhood setting at all times.  Family members have opportunities to participate in ways that are comfortable for them.