Thoughtful Teaching: Developmentally Appropriate Practice – Selected Resources

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Growing Ideas Thoughtful Teaching: Developmentally Appropriate Practice Selected Resources.
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Please note: Some resources may require a subscription or have restricted access due to a publisher paywall.

Books:

  • Copple, C. & Bredekamp, S. eds. (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs. 3rd ed. Washington, D.C.: National Association for the Education of Young Children.
  • Hyson, M. (2008). Enthusiastic and engaged learners: Approaches to Learning in Early Childhood Classrooms. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.
  • Zero To Three Press. (2008). Caring for Infants and Toddlers in Groups: Developmentally Appropriate Practice (2nd ed.).

Articles/Tools:

Videos and Learning Modules:

  • The Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences (I-LABS) Outreach Modules – The Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences (I-LABS) is an interdisciplinary research center located at the University of Washington. I-LABS has created a series of online modules for early learning professionals, parents, caregivers, policymakers, and interested community members.
    The online training modules are designed to share the latest science of child development with the broader community. Each module explores a particular topic of science, such as early brain development, children’s imitation, or language acquisition, and nests it within the larger landscape of child development. All modules are free and are designed to be useful for both everyday interactions with children and for informing systems-level programs and policies.

Websites:

  • Developmentally Appropriate Practice – Links to other sites on the world-wide web with information about DAP and original articles.
  • Early Childhood Development – Quality Teaching and Learning – The Center is from the Office of Head Start (OHS) provides information and resources and training materials. The site offers tips and information on many topics including child development, curriculum planning and individualizing and health.
  • Early Childhood News – an online resource for teachers and parents of children, from infants to age 8 years. This resource provides articles about child development, developmentally appropriate practices, health and safety, behavior and guidance, assessment and much more. They also provide curriculum ideas and a free newsletter.
  • The Early Head Start National Resource Center – offering the News You Can Use (NUCU) e-newsletters. These newsletters examine topics important to staff who work directly with infants, toddlers, and families, including expectant families (e.g., home visitors, teachers, family child care providers). Each edition focuses on one particular topic, provides information about the topic and, through use of vignettes, shows how the information can be used in daily practice.
  • Information for Early Childhood Educators – Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website providing information for Early Childhood Educators; tools and resources, free materials, developmental milestone charts and more.
  • Kansas Inservice Training System Virtual Kit: Developmentally Appropriate Practices – Virtual Kits have been developed as a vehicle for helping professionals quickly find relevant and reliable web-based resources on topics important to our field and our practices. This Virtual Kit on DAP was created to assist early childhood educators in understanding best practice in early childhood and provide support to create a classroom where all students achieve to their highest potential.
  • The National Association for the Education of Young Children – (NAEYC) is dedicated to improving the well-being of all young children, with particular focus on the quality of educational and developmental services for all children from birth through age 8. NAEYC is professional organization providing public policy and advocacy, professional development and information and resources to support early childhood professionals. NAEYC is the largest professional membership association for early childhood educators.
  • The National Association for the Education of Young Children- DAP Frequently Asked Questions – NAEYC provides answers to frequently asked question about Developmentally Appropriate Practices.
  • Zero-to Three National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families. This site provides information to professionals and families related to the care, education and development of infants and toddlers. There are many interactive resources, parent handouts, charts, Tip Sheets, FAQ’s, articles, and Powerpoint slide shows to discover the amazing process of early development.

Return to Foundations of Inclusive Early Care and Education

Updated: 07/23/2024

Maine Department of Health and Human Services.

Funding for the 2011 update of the Growing Ideas Resources for Guiding Early Childhood Practices has been provided by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Child and Family Services, Early Childhood Division.