(UDAP) Understanding Developmentally
Appropriate Practices/Questions and Answers
What affect does quality early care have on children? - -academic benefits
lasting into high school
- What age group is considered early childhood? - -birth to 8 years old
- Age appropriateness - -considering what is typical for a child within a
given age group
- Individual appropriateness - -considering the needs of each child as a
unique individual
- Social/Cultural appropriateness - -considering the social and cultural
contexts in which children grow and live
- Intentionality - -having clearly defined goals for children and thoughtfully
prepared environments, experiences and activities to meet those goals
- 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
- Structural indicators - -are things that are "regulable," meaning they can
be monitored and are important for providing consistent care.
EX: Licensure
Lower ratios
Smaller group size
Caregiver qualifications
Professional development for staff
Health and safety regulations
Inclusive environment
- Process indicators - -are what programs "do" to help promote
development through specific activities and intentional practices. Process
indicators are observable interactions.
EX: Curriculum and established routines
Language and reasoning activities
Sensitive, responsive interactions
Collaboration and provisions for parents and families
, Parent, teacher, and child interactions
Child-sized furnishings
Well defined and equipped space that meets the needs of all children
- Quality experiences early in life lead to better outcomes for children. These
experiences lead to: - -Lower delinquency rates
Increased graduation rates
Adults who earn higher salaries
Increased home ownership
Better cognitive and language skills
Adults who spend less time participating in social programs or on welfare
- Quality Preschool - -Developmentally appropriate curriculum
Developmentally appropriate assessment procedures
Continuous staff training
Administrative support
Low teacher/student ratio
Systematic effort to involve parents
- Quality Early Care + Quality Education = - -Quality Outcomes for Children
- High Quality Child Care - -A safe, nurturing environment where children
learn and grow, staff are properly trained and supported. Parents have
access to the program at all times. Program is well organized to promote
optimal skill development.
- Motivational theories - -focus on the belief that humans are controlled by
many factors. They place more emphasis on personal motivation and
desires. Based on these theories, you might consider what motivates
children to act the way they do.
- Social development theories - -focus on emotional and personality
development. Each stage of development lays foundational patterns that
influence a person's ability to resolve conflict throughout life.
- Intellectual/Cognitive development theories - -focus on children
developing an intellectual understanding of their world. Children interact
with materials and people in the environment to construct knowledge.
- Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs - -This theory suggests children
move through stages as certain needs are met. If basic needs are not met,
children do not progress in development.
Physical (Basic) Needs
Safety and Security (Comfort)
Belongingness and Love (Social)
Appropriate Practices/Questions and Answers
What affect does quality early care have on children? - -academic benefits
lasting into high school
- What age group is considered early childhood? - -birth to 8 years old
- Age appropriateness - -considering what is typical for a child within a
given age group
- Individual appropriateness - -considering the needs of each child as a
unique individual
- Social/Cultural appropriateness - -considering the social and cultural
contexts in which children grow and live
- Intentionality - -having clearly defined goals for children and thoughtfully
prepared environments, experiences and activities to meet those goals
- 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
- Structural indicators - -are things that are "regulable," meaning they can
be monitored and are important for providing consistent care.
EX: Licensure
Lower ratios
Smaller group size
Caregiver qualifications
Professional development for staff
Health and safety regulations
Inclusive environment
- Process indicators - -are what programs "do" to help promote
development through specific activities and intentional practices. Process
indicators are observable interactions.
EX: Curriculum and established routines
Language and reasoning activities
Sensitive, responsive interactions
Collaboration and provisions for parents and families
, Parent, teacher, and child interactions
Child-sized furnishings
Well defined and equipped space that meets the needs of all children
- Quality experiences early in life lead to better outcomes for children. These
experiences lead to: - -Lower delinquency rates
Increased graduation rates
Adults who earn higher salaries
Increased home ownership
Better cognitive and language skills
Adults who spend less time participating in social programs or on welfare
- Quality Preschool - -Developmentally appropriate curriculum
Developmentally appropriate assessment procedures
Continuous staff training
Administrative support
Low teacher/student ratio
Systematic effort to involve parents
- Quality Early Care + Quality Education = - -Quality Outcomes for Children
- High Quality Child Care - -A safe, nurturing environment where children
learn and grow, staff are properly trained and supported. Parents have
access to the program at all times. Program is well organized to promote
optimal skill development.
- Motivational theories - -focus on the belief that humans are controlled by
many factors. They place more emphasis on personal motivation and
desires. Based on these theories, you might consider what motivates
children to act the way they do.
- Social development theories - -focus on emotional and personality
development. Each stage of development lays foundational patterns that
influence a person's ability to resolve conflict throughout life.
- Intellectual/Cognitive development theories - -focus on children
developing an intellectual understanding of their world. Children interact
with materials and people in the environment to construct knowledge.
- Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs - -This theory suggests children
move through stages as certain needs are met. If basic needs are not met,
children do not progress in development.
Physical (Basic) Needs
Safety and Security (Comfort)
Belongingness and Love (Social)
