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Glossary
content- and process-centered approach. A
teaching philosophy in which learning is
seen as a constant process of exploring and
questioning the environment with hands-on
curriculum stressed. (18)
Continuing Education Units. Additional course
credit hours that teachers must earn in order
to renew their CDA Credential. (1)
conventions of print. Standardized spelling,
word spacing, and upper- and lowercase
letters in writing. (22)
cool colors. Colors, such as blue and green, that
make a room appear larger and create a
feeling of openness. (9)
co-op (cooperative). A group of people or
organizations who join together for the
mutual benefi t of more buying power. (10)
cooperative play. Type of play in which two or
more children interact with one another. At
this stage socio-dramatic play begins. (21)
cortisol. A steroid hormone that is produced
when the body is under stress. (4)
cover letter. A letter of introduction that is
usually included when sending a résumé. (33)
crawling. A skill in the motor sequence occurring
shortly after the infant learns to roll onto the
stomach. It occurs when the infant’s abdomen
is on the ground. (5)
creeping. Movement in which infants support
their weight on their hands and knees,
moving their arms and legs to go forward. (5)
cubbies. Top sections of lockers used to store
fi nished artwork, library books, parent letters,
and other valuable items. (9)
cultural diversity. The presence of multiple
different cultures or ethnicities. (1)
culture. The values, beliefs, and practices of a
particular group. (5)
curriculum. All of the activities and experiences
that are either planned or spontaneous. A
developmentally appropriate curriculum
tailors learning experience to the children’s
interests, needs, and abilities. (18)
custodial care. Type of child care that focuses
primarily on meeting the child’s physical
needs. (2)
cystic fi brosis. A chronic hereditary disease
that involves persistent and serious lung
infections; failure to gain weight; and loose,
foul-smelling stools. (31)
D
daily news fl ash. A written communication
tool used by centers to inform parents about
program or center news. Contains bits of
news that families can discuss with their
children. (32)
dawdling. Eating slowly or having a lack of
interest in food; sometimes used as an
attempt to gain attention. (17)
deferred imitation. Watching another person’s
behavior and then acting out that behavior
later. (5)
demand feeding. Feeding an infant in response
to his or her signals. (29)
dendrites. Hairlike fi bers around the cell body
that receive signals. (4)
desensitized. Describing a process in which a
doctor injects small amounts of an allergen
into the body over time building immunities
to an irritant. (31)
development. Change or growth that occurs in
children. (4)
developmental age. A child’s skill and growth
level compared to what is thought of as
typical for that age group. (10)
developmentally appropriate practice (DAP).
A framework or approach to working with
young children that is based on knowledge of
how children learn and develop at different
ages and stages. (1)
developmental milestones. Characteristics and
behaviors considered normal for children
in specifi c age groups; also referred to as
emerging competencies. (3)
diabetes. A condition in which the body cannot
properly control the level of sugar in the
blood. (12)
direct guidance. Physical and verbal actions, such
as facial and body gestures, that infl uence
behavior. (14)
direct learning experience. Learning experience
planned with a specifi c goal in mind. (18)
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