Chapter 1 Quality Child Care: Today’s Growing Need
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Developmentally Appropriate
Practices
The program of daily activities is a central part
of a quality center. The National Association for
the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a
professional organization of people who work in
the child development field. It is particularly con-
cerned with identifying characteristics of excellent
programs for young children. NAEYC
has developed a position statement that defines
good programming as using
developmentally appropriate practices. This
means that equipment, activities, and guidance are carefully tailored to the develop-
mental characteristics and needs of each group. The concept and position statement
have received a lot of favorable publicity. They are being used as the basis for revised
regulations and planning learning environments in several states.
Planning developmentally appropriate activities for young children requires a
teacher
• knows age characteristics of the children in the group
• knows the types of equipment and activities preferred by the age group
• knows how to prepare the classroom and activities for optimum use
• knows how to plan concrete, “hands-on” experiences
• understands the progression of development, so activities can be matched to
children’s developmental readiness
• knows each child’s unique characteristics
• knows where to go to get new ideas
• understands how to create a positive, supportive learning environment
• is sensitive to the social and cultural context in which each child lives
A program that has a good daily program of developmentally appropriate activities
requires careful planning. It doesn’t just happen. There must be a match between
what the children are ready for and the activities available to them. Teachers need to
plan the room arrangement and select appropriate equipment. They have to plan the
daily schedule, including special activities and group time activities.
A good program for young children will fascinate and challenge them. It will not
bore or frustrate them. When children are in a quality program, they will look for-
ward to the day’s activities. They will end the day feeling successful and good about
themselves. The children will take naturally to those activities that are appropriate to
their developmental level, 1-5.
Director’s Dilemma
A friend wants to open a center with
you. Your friend believes that all you
have to do is buy some toys and let
the children play all day. How would
you explain quality programming to
your friend? What kinds of conflicts
might arise between the two of you if
your friend is not interested in pro-
viding quality care?