Developmentally Appropriate Practice
“The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) defines “developmentally appropriate practice” as methods that promote each child’s optimal development and learning through a strengths-based, play-based approach to joyful, engaged learning.”
The following resources are designed to inform and inspire early childhood educators, providers, and leaders in their work with children and families in Wyoming. Professional learning opportunities and additional resources are available on Developmentally Appropriate Practice by contacting the WYECLC Learning Specialists.
Featured Articles & Resources
Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP) Position Statement
Must Read Books
by Amy Laura Dombro, Judy Jablon, and Charlotte Stetson
Fourth Edition Outline
Preschoolers at Play Choosing the Right Stuff for Learning and Development
by Lisa Mufson Bresson & Megan King
Each & Every Child Teaching Preschool With an Equity Lens
by Susan Friedman & Alissa Mwenelupembe
This is Play: Environments and Interactions that Engage Infants and Toddlers
by Julia Luckenbill, Aarti Subramaniam, Janet Thompson
Lisa Murphy on Being Child-Centered
by Lisa Murphy
by Julie Nicholson, LInda Perez, and Julie Kurtz
Connections to Wyoming Resources
Wyoming’s Coherent Path to Quality
The Coherent Path to Quality framework and “simple rules” invite all the adults in a child’s ecosystem to examine their role in the life of young children. The following Stories from the Field and Examples from Wyoming connect DAP to practices in a variety of settings. Do you see elements of DAP in these stories?
Relationships and Interactions
Simple Rule #2 Responsive pages 9-11
Simple Rule #3 Reciprocal pages 12-14
The Emotional and Physical Environment
Simple Rule #2 Respectful pages 25-28
Simple Rule #4 Accessible pages 33-35
Learning Experiences
Simple Rule #1 Meaningful pages 39-41
Simple Rule # 2 Exploratory pages 42-45
There are many more examples of the path to quality in Wyoming. Check out
Wyoming’s Coherent Path to Quality by using the link below.
Wyoming’s Early Learning Standards
One of the organizational elements of the standards is Stories from the Field. These detailed examples are of Wyoming children and adults using the standards in their daily interactions in early childhood settings across the state. The following stories from Wyoming’s Early Learning Standards include connections to Developmentally Appropriate Practice. The Equity Connections, Teacher Tips, and Try It sections invite you to explore DAP in your setting.
Emotional Development
Confident Pokemon™ page 14
Equity Connection: Developmentally Appropriate Practice page 15
Literacy
Reading At The Park page 26
Equity Connection: Developmentally Appropriate Practice page 27
Mathematics
Calendar Countdown page 34
Equity Connection: Calendar Countdown page 35
Daily Living Skills
Puppet Helpers page 42
Equity Connection: Developmentally Appropriate Practice page 43
Voices From the Village Podcast
Voices From Our Village: Season 3 Episode 1 Developmentally Appropriate Practice
Camille Cattlet discusses key features of the new NAEYC Developmentally Appropriate Practice Position Statement and shares great resources for early childhood educators and higher education faculty.
Voices From Our Village: Season 3 Episode 2 Voices From Our Village
DAP in Wyoming, three sisters involved in early childhood in Wyoming respond to Camille’s interview and share their insights into what Developmentally Appropriate Practice means for caregivers, teachers, and families in Wyoming.
WYECPLC Blog Posts
Why Cowboy State Kids and Teachers Still Need Anti-Bias Learning Opportunities (July 14, 2022)
Tyler Gonzalez, Regional Facilitator
It’s The Week of the Young Child! (April 4, 2022)
Julie Eastes, Wyoming Early Childhood Consultant
Classroom Tides (April 14, 2022)
Tyler Gonzalez, Regional Facilitator
It’s The Week of the Young Child! (April 4, 2022)
Julie Eastes, Wyoming Early Childhood Consultant
The Natural Habitat for Children Is When They Are At Play (April 14, 2021)
Tom “Teacher Tom” Hobson
Preschool Teacher, Blogger, Speaker, Author
Watch Me Play and Grow! (June 30, 2021)
Kelce Eckhardt, Regional Facilitator
Developmentally Appropriate Practice in The Time of Covid (August 28, 2020)
Nikki Baldwin, University of Wyoming
In Their Own Way, And on Their Own Day (August 4, 2020)
Kara Cossel, Regional Facilitator
Trusting Toddlers (July 16, 2020)
Liz Goddard, Regional Facilitator
