DAP Direct Environment Analysis

The teaching environment and how a classroom is set out can have an effect on the children; have a well organised classroom with clear instructions of how to use materials and equipment as this can help them have the confidence to try things for themselves.

The program’s philosophy is based on the NAEYC’s guidelines on developmentally appropriate practices and Froebel, Piaget, and Gardner’s early learning theories. We believe that every child can learn and grow with the proper care and instruction. The NAEYC defines practices as developmentally appropriate when they consider age and stage related differences, individual differences in learning style and preferences, and social and cultural differences among children (Kostelnik, Soderman, & Whiren, 2011). For this reason we believe that the best way to ensure positive development is to adapt the materials, activities, and the mode of demonstrating learning to meet the varied needs of our students.

Their main objective is to create a safe educational environment for the children to learn in to help them develop in all areas. The setting offers a variety of activities for the children to take part in which will develop areas of their holistic development which will work with the children to reach the goals set for them.

*Enabling environment- children learn best in positive surroundings when the activities are set out for their personal requirements and there is a good relationship between practitioner and parents of the children.

. The blue classroom met DAP practices in that the furniture was sized appropriately to the ages of the children that were in that classroom (approx. 4-5yrs) and in the way classroom was arranged. The centers were easy to access and they were arranged so

To understand the whole child you have to understand the pieces which create a whole and balanced child. Development of social and emotional needs, physical needs, language learning needs, and cognitive development needs all come together cohesively to create a whole child. The best way to encourage and educate the whole child is through play because all needs for developing the whole child can be met during play. The keys to creating a whole child play environment is by incorporating age appropriate toys and materials into centers created by using development appropriate practices. The DAP’s (development appropriate practices) are created by investigating and identifying the child’s current stage of development. Once you identify where they the child is developmentally, you encourage and aide the child in learning and growing through play by using the DAP’s. Each part of the whole child’s needs must be investigated and identified before you can create a successful whole child environment. The child’s present cognitive abilities and struggles must be identified, you should know what physical abilities or struggles the child is facing, the child’s language needs must be identified, and last but definitely not least is the social and emotional needs. To

NAEYC has 10 effective DAP teaching strategies I will go through them and determine if

Of concern to me is also monitoring of my students. I need them to actively involved in monitoring their progress and finding out from them where they most need help. I want them to take an active part in the learning process and I cannot do it alone. If I can get them to be invested in the learning process they might be able to help me to be a better teacher, who plans her lessons so that they are structured to meet students’ need and take them to the next

It is important that an environment where children are going to be is a safe and friendly environment, and consists of everything that a child needs to be able grow and develop to the best of their ability. This includes challenging exercises and things that are able learn at their own pace. Whichever age group you a person is working with, it is important to ensure that the planning is done according to each child’s individual needs to ensure that that the development of each child is met. This is vital as every child is different and therefore activities that are put out should be able to be adapted so that every child feels as if they are able to have a go at doing it. A positive environment also includes the way that a room looks and if

All of these elements are important for a practice or program, however, the three elements I feel that are more important are; 1) creating a caring community of learners 2) Teaching to enhance development and learning 3) Planning curriculum to achieve important goals. Creating a caring community, communities are very influential for children beginning school and being immerged into a place outside the home, sometimes for the first time. It is vital to create a safe and warm environment for children where they can learn social skills and how to treat others. Teaching to enhance development and learning is a happy mixture of adult-guided and child-guided but has the teacher being the one in charge and responsible for directing and supporting the child. Planning curriculum to achieve important goals, programs must have a curriculum based on goals that are significant for children development. Lakeridge UMC accomplishes these three guidelines by incorporating play with peers and academics and staffing caring teachers. This program also gives its kids some freedom by not having to ask to go to the bathroom but just going, instead of interrupting the class which also fulfills creating a caring community guideline. Lakeridge no doubt follows the guidelines for a successful

The most important element in the learning environment is invisible. It is made up of the values, attitudes, and actions that we and our classes take part in every day. The ways that we interact with children can establish the classroom as a place that nurtures investigation and experiment, hard work, and appreciation for the unique abilities of each learner.

It is argued that there are 4 elements critical to the effectiveness of the instructional process: 1. the learner, 2. the teacher, 3. the home, and 4. the academic programs and the physical facilities at the school. These are interdependent and interactive and must function in unison for effective teaching to take place. The teacher's primary responsibility is to help

Developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) suggests recognizing the importance of positive, supportive, and caring relationships (Gallagher, 2005). It is creating an inclusive and caring community that extends from the classroom to the community, and fostering respectful and collaborative relationships among

There are three cornerstones of DAP: the first is having the research knowledge of what is considered developmentally-appropriate for

DAP stands for developmentally appropriate practices (Kostelnik). This means that the activities exposed to the children in the classroom are not overwhelming, or too difficult, for their skill level, but they are achievable, interesting, meaningful, and worth knowing for each individual child (Olsen). The resources I will use will be relevant to the children and appropriate according to the different families they come from and the community they live in (Olsen). My future DAP classroom will be safe for all children, look desirable, and have a stimulating atmosphere (Kostelnik). I seek to build wholesome relationships with the children and their families, so they are able to feel cared for and comfortable in the classroom, helping them progress as best they can (Olsen). The children will learn through self-directed play, centers, hands-on involvement, large/small groups, and routine (Olsen). Different activities are provided for the children on a daily basis where they can make choices, use their creativity, and have opportunities that help them understand the world around them (Olsen). It is my job as the teacher to provide diverse activities, strategies and teaching layouts that focus on the development of the whole child to help each individual learn in a plethora of ways (Olsen).