The Early Childhood POV

20/08/2024

DAP Affirmations are like your personal commandments of how you show up for children in a developmentally appropriate way.

Comment below one DAP affirmation you live by each day.

You’ve got this!



developmentally appropriate practice, early childhood education, child development, play-based learning, holistic development, child-centered approach, early learning, positive guidance, whole child, responsive teaching

18/08/2024

15/08/2024

What is being kinder ready anyway?

As a developmentally appropriate preschool teacher, your job is to be fully present with where your children are right now. We need to be meeting children where they are and providing them appropriate experiences to allow them to progress and develop in a way that is natural for them.

There is no rush to the next stage of their life. Let them be 3, 4, & 5. Out job is to preserve and protect their childhood.

You’ve got this!



early childhood education, child-centered learning, play-based learning, age-appropriate activities, individualized instruction, whole-child approach, hands-on learning, social-emotional development, cognitive development, active learning, positive reinforcement, child development, experiential learning, developmental milestones, inclusive education, classroom environment, early literacy, early numeracy, teacher-child interaction, scaffolding, guided play, emergent curriculum, family engagement, observation and assessment, intentional teaching, responsive teaching, early childhood curriculum, inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, language development, peer interaction, self-regulation, problem-solving skills

06/08/2024

I will never forget when my son was 10 months old and was showing no signs of walking… my mother who had no background and early childhood, like I did, started putting the pressure on me to enroll my son in a baby gym class thinking that will get him to start walking. Thankfully, I did not succumb to the pressure and I just let him naturally develop as he was meant to be. He started walking at 15 months old and went on to be a phenomenal basketball player.

Unfortunately, it is our system, society, government, that creates unrealistic pressure on parents and educators to push harder sooner, and they forget the natural development of a child. When we push harder sooner and we ignore the natural development of a child we don’t always get the results that we want. In fact, even more so it is detrimental to a child’s development.

When a child is pushed to do something they are not naturally ready for, it creates stress and anxiety on that child so while in the short term, they may be able to read sooner, write their name sooner, what happens is is that their social emotional development is being neglected, and their natural path of development has been disrupted.

It is irresponsible and cruel to push a child to do something that is not part of their natural path. And, does it really matter in the end?

Does pushing sooner matter? Is it worth the detriment it causes a young child, their natural development, social, their emotional well-being, and their overall joy about being a lifelong learner?

For me, it’s a hard no. Is it hard enough for you too?

You’ve got this!

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child development, developmental milestones, early childhood development, cognitive development, physical growth in children, social development in children, emotional development in children, play-based learning, childhood education, stages of child development

03/08/2024

Tired? I’m right there with you! I’m exhausted of having to constantly defend or explain my practices to others! It should just be so obvious that DAP (developmentally appropriate practice) is what is best for children. Why don’t the naysayers get it?!

Well I’ve created 4 letters plus a bonus sheet of DAP talking points that will do the talking for you!

With the start of the school year coming, this is the perfect time to hand these little letters out to parents, co-workers, and administrators.

Comment LETTERS to grab these free letters today!

You’ve got this!

30/07/2024

09/05/2024

Happy teacher appreciation week!

I hope this post reminds you that it is in times of uncertainty your practices will be put to the test. Use those moments to lean into your why you became a developmentally appropriate teacher. It is these moments that will set you apart from the rest.

You’ve got this!