Required Resources
• Course Text: Copple, C., & Bredekamp, S. (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8 (3rd ed.). Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.
o NAEYC Position Statement, pp. 1-24
o "To Be an Excellent Teacher," pp. 33-50
o "Frequently Asked Questions about Developmentally Appropriate Practice," pp. 327-333
Media
• Video: Laureate Education (Producer). (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 38 minutes.
Early childhood expert and co-author of NAEYC's seminal Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Sue Bredekamp, Ph.D., discusses the history and meaning of this cornerstone of program quality. Though filmed prior to the most recent edition of Developmentally Appropriate Practice, this video segment remains relevant, stressing the core principles of developmentally appropriate practice and the field's commitment to continuous improvement.
Optional Resources
• Course Text: Copple, C., & Bredekamp, S. (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8 (3rd ed.). Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.
o "Developmentally Appropriate Practice in the Infant and Toddler Years-Ages 0-3," pp. 53-73
o "Developmentally Appropriate Practice in the Preschool Years-Ages 3-5," pp. 111-148
• Web Article: Growing Ideas: Thoughtful Teaching: Developmentally Appropriate Practice
https://umaine.edu/ccids/files/2009/12/DAP120309.pdf
• Web Article: Developmentally Appropriate Practice: What Does Research Tell Us?
https://www.ericdigests.org/1998-1/practice.htm
• Web Article: Whatever Happened to Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Literacy?
https://www.naeyc.org/files/yc/file/200507/02Neuman.pdf
Directions:
• Respond to each item. Each response should be concise and between 2-3 paragraphs in length.
• Use MS Word to write your responses, and submit your answers to all three questions in one Word document.
• Copy and paste each question within the document, so that your Instructor can see to which question you are responding.
1. Of the 12 principles of child development and learning set forth in the NAEYC Position Statement on pages 10-16 of the Copple and Bredekamp course text, briefly describe three that were of greatest interest to you. Additionally, for each one, share an implication you see for early childhood professionals.
2. Drawing from information in the readings and Program 3 on the DVD, explain why developmentally appropriate practice cannot be defined as a set of activities or strategies but rather as a complex decision-making process. Describe the considerations that are involved in this process.
3. Using the points in "Bridging Cultural Differences" on page 46 and the related question in the FAQs on pages 331-332 of the Copple and Bredekamp course text, explain in your own words the responsibility of an early childhood professional when a family's cultural practices may conflict with developmentally appropriate practice and suggest two or three strategies for how to respond in sensitive and respectful ways.