Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs

Carol Copple is director of Publications and Initiatives in Educational Practice at NAEYC. She was on the faculty at Louisiana State University and the New School for Social Research. At the Educational Testing Service she co-developed and directed a research-based model for preschool education and conducted research on children's cognition. Her previous publications include Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs (Bredekamp & Copple 1997), Basics of Developmentally Appropriate Practice: An Introduction for Teachers of Children 3 to 6 (Bredekamp & Copple 2006), and Education the Young Thinker: Classroom Strategies for Cognitive Growth (Copple, Sigel, & Saunders 1984). She received her doctorate from Cornell University. Sue Bredekamp is an early childhood education consultant in Washington, DC. She has consulted for NAEYC, the Council for Professional Recognition, the Head Start BUreau, and state and local departments of education, and served on the Committee on Early Childhood Mathematics of the National Research Council. She developed a satellite television course on early literacy, HeadsUp! Reading. While director of Accreditation and Professional Development at NAEYC (1981–1998), she coauthored major NAEYC position statements and publications, including accreditation standards, on developmentally appropriate practice, curriculum and assessment, and learning to read and write. Currently she is writing a textbook, to be titled Effective Practices in Early Childhood Education: Becoming an Intentional Teacher. Her doctorate is from the University of Maryland.

Acknowledgments

Editors’ Preface

About This Book

Key Messages of the Position Statement

NAEYC Position Statement

Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth through Age 8

1. To Be an Excellent Teacher

2. Development in the First Three Years of Life

3. Developmentally Appropriate Practice in the Infant and Toddler Years—Ages 0–3: Examples to Consider

The Preschool Years

4. Developmentally Appropriate Practice in the Preschool Years—Ages 3–5: An Overview

5. Developmentally Appropriate Practice in the Preschool Years—Ages 3–5: Examples to Consider

The Kindergarten Year

6. Developmentally Appropriate Practice in the Kindergarten Year—Ages 5–6: An Overview

7. Developmentally Appropriate Practice in the Kindergarten Year—Ages 5–6: Examples to Consider

The Primary Grades

8. Developmentally Appropriate Practice in the Primary Grades—Ages 6–8: An Overview

9. Developmentally Appropriate Practice in the Primary Grades—Ages 6–8: Examples to Consider

10. Frequently Asked Questions about Developmentally

Appropriate Practice

References

Index