FL DCF CHILD CARE PRESCHOOL
APPROPRIATE PRACTICES 2026 REVISION
NOTES AND STRUCTURED EARLY LEARNING
OVERVIEW GUIDE
◉ Knowing the typical behaviors and growth patterns for a certain
age group is necessary Answer: to plan the most appropriate
environments and activities to optimize the learning experience for
children in care.
◉ A child's age, temperament, personality, and family history
Answer: are all factors that affect his or her development.
◉ Children's learning experiences are enhanced when caregivers are
aware of and support Answer: the social and cultural contexts in
which they live.
◉ Caregivers should be intentional about planning learning
experiences that are Answer: purposeful, challenging, and
achievable.
◉ Three critical challenges impacting early childhood practices are:
Answer: addressing disparities in school success and achievement;
integrating and aligning preschool and elementary school
,programming; and improving teacher preparation, professional
development and ongoing support.
◉ T or F?
One critical challenge currently impacting early childhood practices
is addressing differences in school success and achievement.
Answer: True
Three critical challenges impacting early childhood practices are:
1. Addressing differences in school success and achievement
2. Integrating and aligning preschool and elementary school
programming
3. Improving teacher preparation, professional development and
ongoing support
◉ T or F?
Teachers are professional decision makers who are all well prepared
and have all of the resources necessary to assist them in decision
making. Answer: True
Fundamental to Developmentally Appropriate Practice is the
understanding that all teachers make important decisions every day.
Preplanning and organizing the environment with learning goals
and objectives in mind
,◉ T or F?
A critical challenge impacting early childhood practices is helping
professionals minimize their participation in professional
development opportunities. Answer: False
Three critical challenges impacting early childhood practices are:
Addressing differences in school success and achievement
Integrating and aligning preschool and elementary school
programming
*Improving teacher preparation, professional development and
ongoing support
◉ T or F?
The three components of Developmentally Appropriate Practice are
age appropriateness, individual appropriateness, and special needs
appropriateness. Answer: False
Developmentally Appropriate Practice focuses on children birth
through eight years old and is made up of three principle
components: age appropriateness, individual appropriateness, and
social/cultural appropriateness.
◉ T or F?
between preschools and elementary schools greatly enhances
educational quality and improves child outcomes. Answer: True
, Creating curricular connection, communication and collaboration
between preschools and elementary schools would greatly enhance
educational quality and improve child outcomes.
◉ T or F?
Effective teaching strategies for extending the learning experience
may include having conversations, using questioning techniques,
and allowing large blocks of time to practice newly acquired skills.
Answer: True
Effective teaching strategies for extending the learning experience
may include having conversations, using questioning techniques and
allowing large blocks of time to practice newly acquired skills.
◉ T or F?
Knowledgeable caregivers are able to build on what children already
know and can do. Answer: True
◉ T or F?
Studies show that highly effective teachers improvise goals for
children and sporadically prepare environments, experiences and
activities to meet those goals. Answer: False
Studies show, highly effective teachers have clearly defined goals for
children and they thoughtfully prepare environments, experiences
and activities to meet those goals.
APPROPRIATE PRACTICES 2026 REVISION
NOTES AND STRUCTURED EARLY LEARNING
OVERVIEW GUIDE
◉ Knowing the typical behaviors and growth patterns for a certain
age group is necessary Answer: to plan the most appropriate
environments and activities to optimize the learning experience for
children in care.
◉ A child's age, temperament, personality, and family history
Answer: are all factors that affect his or her development.
◉ Children's learning experiences are enhanced when caregivers are
aware of and support Answer: the social and cultural contexts in
which they live.
◉ Caregivers should be intentional about planning learning
experiences that are Answer: purposeful, challenging, and
achievable.
◉ Three critical challenges impacting early childhood practices are:
Answer: addressing disparities in school success and achievement;
integrating and aligning preschool and elementary school
,programming; and improving teacher preparation, professional
development and ongoing support.
◉ T or F?
One critical challenge currently impacting early childhood practices
is addressing differences in school success and achievement.
Answer: True
Three critical challenges impacting early childhood practices are:
1. Addressing differences in school success and achievement
2. Integrating and aligning preschool and elementary school
programming
3. Improving teacher preparation, professional development and
ongoing support
◉ T or F?
Teachers are professional decision makers who are all well prepared
and have all of the resources necessary to assist them in decision
making. Answer: True
Fundamental to Developmentally Appropriate Practice is the
understanding that all teachers make important decisions every day.
Preplanning and organizing the environment with learning goals
and objectives in mind
,◉ T or F?
A critical challenge impacting early childhood practices is helping
professionals minimize their participation in professional
development opportunities. Answer: False
Three critical challenges impacting early childhood practices are:
Addressing differences in school success and achievement
Integrating and aligning preschool and elementary school
programming
*Improving teacher preparation, professional development and
ongoing support
◉ T or F?
The three components of Developmentally Appropriate Practice are
age appropriateness, individual appropriateness, and special needs
appropriateness. Answer: False
Developmentally Appropriate Practice focuses on children birth
through eight years old and is made up of three principle
components: age appropriateness, individual appropriateness, and
social/cultural appropriateness.
◉ T or F?
between preschools and elementary schools greatly enhances
educational quality and improves child outcomes. Answer: True
, Creating curricular connection, communication and collaboration
between preschools and elementary schools would greatly enhance
educational quality and improve child outcomes.
◉ T or F?
Effective teaching strategies for extending the learning experience
may include having conversations, using questioning techniques,
and allowing large blocks of time to practice newly acquired skills.
Answer: True
Effective teaching strategies for extending the learning experience
may include having conversations, using questioning techniques and
allowing large blocks of time to practice newly acquired skills.
◉ T or F?
Knowledgeable caregivers are able to build on what children already
know and can do. Answer: True
◉ T or F?
Studies show that highly effective teachers improvise goals for
children and sporadically prepare environments, experiences and
activities to meet those goals. Answer: False
Studies show, highly effective teachers have clearly defined goals for
children and they thoughtfully prepare environments, experiences
and activities to meet those goals.
