What Is Developmentally Appropriate Practice? A Guide for Families

The KGLC Team
3 days ago
3 min read

At Kinder-Garden Learning Center, we believe every child deserves to grow, learn, and thrive in an environment that truly understands their needs. That’s why we follow something called Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP)—a way of teaching that meets children where they are developmentally and helps them build skills through hands-on, joyful learning.

But what does that really mean? And what does it look like for your child? Let’s break it down together.

🌱 What Is Developmentally Appropriate Practice?

Developmentally Appropriate Practice, or DAP, is a framework developed by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). It means teachers and caregivers intentionally plan activities, environments, and routines that are:

Age-appropriate (based on what most children that age can typically do),
Individually appropriate (based on your child’s unique interests, needs, and abilities), and
Culturally appropriate (respecting each child’s background and family values).

This kind of approach supports healthy brain development, strong relationships, and a lifelong love of learning.

As Huckleberry puts it: “Developmentally appropriate doesn’t mean pushing children to reach milestones faster—it means giving them the best chance to grow at their own pace.”

🧠 What Does DAP Look Like at Each Age?

Here’s a snapshot of how we support developmentally appropriate learning across different age groups—and how you can do the same at home!

DAP Across Different Age Groups

Understanding how DAP manifests at various stages of early childhood can help you support your child's development effectively. Here's a breakdown by age group:

👶 Infants (0–12 Months)

At this stage, infants are learning to trust, explore through their senses, and build physical skills.

In our classrooms:

Gentle routines, floor time for crawling, soft toys to grasp, singing, and face-to-face interaction.
Teachers respond to infants' cues and provide nurturing, consistent care.

At home you can try:

Tummy time with colorful toys
Talking or singing during diaper changes
Sensory bags (e.g., sealed bags with hair gel and small safe items)
Soft books or black-and-white contrast cards

🐣 Toddlers (12–24 Months)

Toddlers are movers, mess-makers, and curious explorers learning about independence and cause-and-effect.

In our classrooms:

Simple routines, lots of movement, sensory play, and language-building activities.
Teachers encourage trying new things, with patient guidance and warm encouragement.

At home you can try:

Water play with cups and spoons
Dancing to music
Pretend play with toy phones or animals
Rolling a ball back and forth
Naming objects during everyday tasks

🧸 Twos (24–36 Months)

Twos are growing quickly in language, independence, and self-awareness. They’re testing boundaries and exploring emotions.

In our classrooms:

Art projects, dramatic play, obstacle courses, and lots of chances to make choices.
Teachers support growing communication and offer guidance during big feelings.

At home you can try:

Matching socks or colors
Drawing on large paper with crayons
Simple “chores” like helping feed the pet
Building block towers and knocking them down
Reading books that label emotions

🎨 Preschoolers (3–5 Years)

Preschoolers are building friendships, asking big questions, and learning how the world works through pretend play and problem-solving.

In our classrooms:

Whole group meetings, story retelling, collaborative projects, and sensory bins.
Teachers ask open-ended questions and support early literacy, math, and science through play.

At home you can try:

Acting out favorite stories with puppets
Nature scavenger hunts
Building a fort or pretend store
Sensory bins with dry rice or beans
Cooking together and counting ingredients

💡 Why It Matters

When we focus on how children learn—not just what they learn—we help them build skills that last a lifetime: confidence, curiosity, resilience, and joy.

As parents, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. And the beautiful thing is, developmentally appropriate learning doesn’t require expensive toys or fancy materials—just love, time, and a little creativity.

At Kinder-Garden Learning Center, we’re proud to create environments that honor each child’s unique development and celebrate learning through play. Our teachers are trained in Developmentally Appropriate Practice and intentionally meet children where they are to support their growth.

Whether you’re a current family or just beginning your search for care, we’d love to show you how DAP comes to life in our classrooms.

📅 Interested in learning more? Book a tour today and come see the magic for yourself at Kinder-Garden Learning Center!