The Edvocate

Top Menu

Main Menu

  • Start Here
    • Our Brands
    • Governance
      • Dr. Lynch’s Personal Website
      • Careers
    • Write For Us
    • Books
    • Contact Us
    • Edupedia
  • PreK-12
    • Assessment
    • Assistive Technology
    • Child Development
    • Classroom Management
    • Early Childhood
    • EdTech & Innovation
    • Education Leadership
    • Equity
    • First Year Teachers
    • Gifted and Talented Education
    • Parental Involvement
    • Policy & Reform
    • Special Education
    • Teachers
  • Higher Ed
    • Best Colleges and Universities
    • Best College and University Programs
    • Diversity
    • HBCU’s
    • Higher Education
    • Higher Education EdTech
    • International Education
  • Advertise
    • Request a Product Review
  • The Tech Edvocate Awards
    • The Awards Process
    • Finalists and Winners of The 2020 Tech Edvocate Awards
    • Finalists and Winners of The 2019 Tech Edvocate Awards
    • Finalists and Winners of The 2018 Tech Edvocate Awards
    • Finalists and Winners of The 2017 Tech Edvocate Awards
    • Award Seals
  • Apps
    • GPA Calculator for College
    • GPA Calculator for High School
    • Cumulative GPA Calculator
    • Grade Calculator
    • Weighted Grade Calculator
    • Final Grade Calculator
  • The Tech Edvocate
  • Pedagogue
  • The Edvocate Podcast

logo

The Edvocate

  • Start Here
    • Our Brands
    • Governance
      • Dr. Lynch’s Personal Website
        • My Speaking Page
      • Careers
    • Write For Us
    • Books
    • Contact Us
    • Edupedia
  • PreK-12
    • Assessment
    • Assistive Technology
    • Child Development
    • Classroom Management
    • Early Childhood
    • EdTech & Innovation
    • Education Leadership
    • Equity
    • First Year Teachers
    • Gifted and Talented Education
    • Parental Involvement
    • Policy & Reform
    • Special Education
    • Teachers
  • Higher Ed
    • Best Colleges and Universities
    • Best College and University Programs
    • Diversity
    • HBCU’s
    • Higher Education
    • Higher Education EdTech
    • International Education
  • Advertise
    • Request a Product Review
  • The Tech Edvocate Awards
    • The Awards Process
    • Finalists and Winners of The 2020 Tech Edvocate Awards
    • Finalists and Winners of The 2019 Tech Edvocate Awards
    • Finalists and Winners of The 2018 Tech Edvocate Awards
    • Finalists and Winners of The 2017 Tech Edvocate Awards
    • Award Seals
  • Apps
    • GPA Calculator for College
    • GPA Calculator for High School
    • Cumulative GPA Calculator
    • Grade Calculator
    • Weighted Grade Calculator
    • Final Grade Calculator
  • The Tech Edvocate
  • Pedagogue
  • The Edvocate Podcast
  • How to Teach Students to Find the Main Idea

  • An Overview of Explicit Instruction

  • How To Encourage Reading At Home: A Checklist

  • The Most Popular College Applications Today

  • Using Picture Walks to Motivate Students to Read

  • 2022 Best Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Risk Management

  • How To Develop An Internal Locus Of Control

  • Helping Children With Reading Complex Text

  • How is the SAT Scored?

  • Proven Steps for Writing a Common Application Essay

Child DevelopmentEarly Childhood
Home›Child Development›The Edvocate’s Guide to Developmentally Appropriate Practices

The Edvocate’s Guide to Developmentally Appropriate Practices

By Matthew Lynch
March 23, 2021
Spread the love

Developmentally appropriate practices is the process of making a curriculum based on what learners can do cognitively, physically, and emotionally at a certain age. Of course, not each kid develops at the same rate, so, often, there’s a range of considered developmentally appropriate capabilities for each age.

We expect kindergartners to be able to skip, walk up steps, count objects,  and share with other kids. First graders will start to recognize patterns in words and numbers, have the motor skills to grip a pencil, and better respond to social situations.

As they grow older, barring a physical or learning disability, kids will be expected to progress in cognitive and physical development, take on responsibility, have self-control, interact socially with peers, and figure out how to understand complex ideas.

Every first-grader can write his or her name, and can hold a pencil and write letters. Creating lesson plans and activities that incorporate each learner’s different learning styles and skill levels can be a challenge in a class environment. Developmentally appropriate practice may mean something different, even among kids in the same class.

Writing Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum

There are three main areas to contemplate when personalizing a developmentally appropriate curriculum. Understanding what is typical at each stage of a young kid’s development is essential and influences decisions.

You also need to understand what is appropriate for each kid. Watching kids in play activity can give essential insights into their progress and capabilities. The NAEYC also recommends basing decisions about developmentally appropriate practices on a kid’s cultural and family background.

Most curricula utilize a few guidelines to decide developmentally appropriate practices. They allow kids to explore their environment and get hands-on experience in learning activities with minor supervision.

There must be a balance between group activity and independent activity, which is essential for introverted or easily overwhelmed kids. A balance between high energy activity and quiet activity also is essential. Do a little research, and you will find that many learning theories are based on integrating developmentally appropriate learning.


Spread the love
Previous Article

The Connection Between Peer Pressure and Addiction

Next Article

How to Implement the Introducing a New ...

Matthew Lynch

Related articles More from author

  • Child DevelopmentEarly ChildhoodEquity

    Race, Education, and Social Mobility: Why Pre-K Matters for Children of Color

    November 6, 2019
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Child DevelopmentEarly Childhood

    Rethinking the Goal of Childhood Education

    January 24, 2020
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Child Development

    The Impact of Genetics on Child Development

    August 12, 2019
    By Matthew Lynch
  • pass or fail
    Early ChildhoodK-12Reading & LiteracyReading Education

    The Six Basic Story Elements

    March 27, 2021
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Child DevelopmentLanguage Education

    7 Frequently Asked Questions About Articulation Disorders

    December 10, 2019
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Child DevelopmentEarly ChildhoodModern ParentingParentingTrending Topics

    What to Expect: Age 2

    August 14, 2017
    By Matthew Lynch

  • Artificial Intelligence

    Schools Are Using AI to Track What Students Write On Their Computers

  • Artificial Intelligence

    The Difference Between AI, Machine Learning And Digital Assistants

  • Artificial Intelligence

    In a World of Artificial Intelligence, Where Does Emotional Intelligence Fit In?

Search

Registration and Login

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Newsletter

Signup for The Edvocate Newsletter and have the latest in P-20 education news and opinion delivered to your email address!

Subscribe to The Edvocate Podcast

Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsAndroidby EmailRSS
  • Recent

  • Popular

  • Comments

  • How to Teach Students to Find the Main Idea

    By Matthew Lynch
    April 11, 2021
  • An Overview of Explicit Instruction

    By Matthew Lynch
    April 10, 2021
  • How To Encourage Reading At Home: A Checklist

    By Matthew Lynch
    April 9, 2021
  • The Most Popular College Applications Today

    By Matthew Lynch
    April 9, 2021
  • Using Picture Walks to Motivate Students to Read

    By Matthew Lynch
    April 9, 2021
  • 18 Reasons the U.S. Education System is Failing

    By Matthew Lynch
    April 3, 2017
  • The Top 5 Unexpected Benefits of Early Childhood Education

    By Matthew Lynch
    February 29, 2016
  • 7 Benefits of STEM Education

    By Matthew Lynch
    January 12, 2019
  • The Dark Side of Educational Technology

    By Matthew Lynch
    October 15, 2016
  • Transformational vs. Contemporary Leadership Styles

    By Matthew Lynch
    February 28, 2016
  • How M-Learning is Transforming Online Education - The Tech Edvocate
    on
    April 8, 2021

    Learning Upgrade Launches New Mobile App to Serve ELLs on the Go

    […] great aspect of ...
  • Joey Udager
    on
    April 7, 2021

    The Top 5 Unexpected Benefits of Early Childhood Education

    Although I agree that ...
  • on
    April 7, 2021

    18 Reasons the U.S. Education System is Failing

    You seem incredibly well-spoken ...
  • Savannah Langve
    on
    April 7, 2021

    What are the Pros and Cons of 4-Day School Weeks?

    four days of school ...
  • 20 Educators Share Their Exemplary Teaching Expertise!
    on
    April 7, 2021

    The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 13: How I Avoid Burning Out

    […] a fact, Episode ...

Ask an Expert

  • Ask An Expert

    How Dumbed Down Education Is Creating a National Security Crisis

    Spread the loveFor the past few decades, our country’s educational system has seen both struggle and tremendous change. With the various ailments plaguing our educational system, education reforms have attempted ...
  • Ask An Expert

    21 Inspirational Quotes That Nelson Mandela Made About Education

    Spread the loveWe all have our heroes. Those human beings that seem larger than life and almost achieve Godlike status. One of my heroes is the late-great Nelson Mandela, who ...
  • Ask An ExpertAssistive TechnologyCareer ReadinessChild Development TechClassroom ManagementDigital & Mobile TechnologyDigital LeadershipDisabilitiesDiversityEarly ChildhoodEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech & InnovationEducation LeadershipElementary EducationElementary SchoolEquityFirst Year TeachersFreshHigh SchoolK-12Middle SchoolModern ParentingParent & Family TechParental InvolvementParentingPersonalized LearningPodcastPolicy & ReformPreK-12Special EducationSTEMTeacher EducationTeachers

    The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 7: How Digital Age Teachers Can Win Over Parents

    Spread the loveEducation is a collaborative process, as it takes many stakeholders working in unison to help students succeed academically. One of the most integral parts of this collaborative team ...
  • Ask An ExpertAssessmentAssistive TechnologyBlack Boys in CrisisChild Development TechClassroom ManagementDigital & Mobile TechnologyDigital LeadershipDisabilitiesEarly ChildhoodEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech & InnovationEdTech Policy & ReformEducation LeadershipElementary EducationElementary SchoolEquityFeaturedFirst Year TeachersFreshGamificationGifted and Talented EducationHBCU'sHigh SchoolHigher EducationK-12Online Learning & eLearningOpEducationPersonalized LearningPodcastPolicy & ReformRetention & Social Promotion SeriesSpecial EducationSTEMTeacher EducationTeachersTesting

    The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 6: 8 Ways That Digital Age Teachers Avoid Burning Out

    Spread the loveBeing a teacher is a tough job. So much so, many new teachers end up leaving the field within their first three years. To ensure that the next ...
  • Ask An ExpertAssessmentAssistive TechnologyBlack Boys in CrisisBullyingChild DevelopmentChild Development TechClassroom ManagementCurrent Ed NewsDigital LeadershipEarly ChildhoodEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech & InnovationEdTech Policy & ReformEdTech Startups & BusinessesEducation LeadershipEquityFeaturedFirst Year TeachersFreshGamificationGifted and Talented EducationHBCU'sHigh SchoolHigher EducationHigher Education EdTechK-12Matthew LynchModern ParentingOnline Learning & eLearningOpEducationPersonalized LearningPodcastPolicy & ReformRetention & Social Promotion SeriesSpecial EducationSTEMTeacher EducationTeachersTestingYear-Round Schooling

    The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 5: The Archetype of a Great Teacher

    Spread the loveOne of the questions that I am frequently asked is, what does a good teacher look like? I respond by mentioning my 10th-grade Biology teacher, Mrs. Minor, and ...

International Education

  • International EducationLanguage DevelopmentLanguage EducationMultilingual Education

    Using Choral Responses as a Tool for Teaching Multilingual Learners

    Spread the loveChoral responses are a  tool for teaching a different language to a class. Choral responses are the oral response to a prompt. In the classroom setting, you might ...
  • Higher EducationInternational Education

    Is Medical School for Me?

    Spread the loveThere is no doubt that a medical career is regarded with high prestige. To be honest, being identified as a “Doctor” is fantastic. It not only shows that ...
  • International Education

    How Can We Improve Teacher Training in the World’s Poorest Countries?

    Spread the loveAccess to education is a basic human right and a subject of importance in every part of the world. The desire and dedication to go to school are ...
  • International Education

    How COVID-19 is Creating a Global Education Crisis

    Spread the loveWhile the novel coronavirus has brought the entire world to a standstill, it’s the education sector that will suffer the most consequences. Almost all across the globe, the ...
  • International Education

    Which Countries Provide Free Education At A University Level?

    Spread the loveAlmost two dozen countries provide free or nearly-free university-level education to their citizens. Some even allow students from other countries to participate in their free education programs; some ...

Early Childhood Education

  • Early ChildhoodK-12Reading & LiteracyReading Education

    Using Picture Walks to Motivate Students to Read

    Spread the lovePicture walks are an activity that is completed before reading occurs. The reader views the pictures of the story and predicts what they think is occurring. This activates ...
  • Early ChildhoodK-12Reading & LiteracyReading Education

    Helping Kids Learn to Read with Automaticity

    Spread the loveAutomacity is the ability to look at a word and read it within one second of seeing it. Word automaticity is essential for fluency and comprehension. Fluency develops ...
  • Early ChildhoodK-12Reading & LiteracyReading Education

    Helping a Student Increase Their WCPM (Words Correct Per Minute) and Reading Accuracy

    Spread the loveAn educator must utilize assessments such as the WCPM (Words Correct Per Minute) to plan for responsive instruction, especially among learners struggling with reading skills. Educators fail to ...
  • Early ChildhoodK-12Reading & LiteracyReading Education

    Helping Students Learn to Read With Accuracy

    Spread the loveThe evaluation of reading accuracy depends on the capability to make words in a manuscript. Reading accuracy is the automatic process of interpretation and integration of appropriate expressions ...
  • Early ChildhoodK-12Reading & LiteracyReading Education

    Assessing Reading Accuracy and Automaticity

    Spread the loveThe percentage of the words a reader can engage correctly within a given period decides the reading accuracy. This is an essential measure for reading proficiency since it ...

Gifted and Talented Education

  • Gifted and Talented EducationK-12Psychology and Education

    Understanding Intrapersonal Intelligence

    Spread the loveIntrapersonal intelligence is one of the eight multiple intelligences coined by Howard Gardner. The Multiple Intelligence Theory suggests that there are eight “modalities of intelligence,” which challenges the ...
  • Gifted and Talented Education

    All About Child Prodigies

    Spread the loveWhether you are reading this article as a student, parent, or educator, you have undoubtedly heard about the term child prodigy at least once in your lifetime. Although ...
  • Gifted and Talented Education

    The Edvocate’s Guide to Working With Twice-Exceptional Students

    Spread the loveTwice-exceptional is a term used to explain kids who have exceptional talents in some educational areas and challenges in others. In some instances, a twice-exceptional learner could theoretically ...
  • Gifted and Talented Education

    Implementing Curriculum Compacting in Your Classroom

    Spread the loveAll educators agree that differentiating instruction for students is very important. Yet, many districts cannot put this policy into practice. An almost unlimited amount of remedial curricular content ...
  • Gifted and Talented Education

    What Does Academic Enrichment Involve?

    Spread the loveAcademic enrichment activities in the class can take numerous forms and do not always involve prescribed lessons from the curriculum. Enrichment encourages learners to take a more expansive ...

Black Boys in Crisis Series

  • Black Boys in Crisis

    The Importance of Mentoring Young African-American Males

    Spread the loveTeachers need to realize that at home, in their neighborhoods, and in school, many students face difficulties that can interfere with learning. Compared to their middle-class counterparts, it ...
  • Black Boys in CrisisDiversityEquity

    7 Ways That Black Students are Discriminated Against in U.S K-12 Schools

    Spread the loveAfrican Africans have a long history of being mistreated in the United States, starting with slavery. It should come as no surprise that their children face the same ...
  • Ask An ExpertAssessmentAssistive TechnologyBlack Boys in CrisisChild Development TechClassroom ManagementDigital & Mobile TechnologyDigital LeadershipDisabilitiesEarly ChildhoodEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech & InnovationEdTech Policy & ReformEducation LeadershipElementary EducationElementary SchoolEquityFeaturedFirst Year TeachersFreshGamificationGifted and Talented EducationHBCU'sHigh SchoolHigher EducationK-12Online Learning & eLearningOpEducationPersonalized LearningPodcastPolicy & ReformRetention & Social Promotion SeriesSpecial EducationSTEMTeacher EducationTeachersTesting

    The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 6: 8 Ways That Digital Age Teachers Avoid Burning Out

    Spread the loveBeing a teacher is a tough job. So much so, many new teachers end up leaving the field within their first three years. To ensure that the next ...
  • Ask An ExpertAssessmentAssistive TechnologyBlack Boys in CrisisBullyingChild DevelopmentChild Development TechClassroom ManagementCurrent Ed NewsDigital LeadershipEarly ChildhoodEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech & InnovationEdTech Policy & ReformEdTech Startups & BusinessesEducation LeadershipEquityFeaturedFirst Year TeachersFreshGamificationGifted and Talented EducationHBCU'sHigh SchoolHigher EducationHigher Education EdTechK-12Matthew LynchModern ParentingOnline Learning & eLearningOpEducationPersonalized LearningPodcastPolicy & ReformRetention & Social Promotion SeriesSpecial EducationSTEMTeacher EducationTeachersTestingYear-Round Schooling

    The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 5: The Archetype of a Great Teacher

    Spread the loveOne of the questions that I am frequently asked is, what does a good teacher look like? I respond by mentioning my 10th-grade Biology teacher, Mrs. Minor, and ...
  • Ask An ExpertAssistive TechnologyBlack Boys in CrisisBullyingChild DevelopmentChild Development TechClassroom ManagementDisabilitiesDiversityEarly ChildhoodEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech & InnovationEdTech Policy & ReformEducation LeadershipElementary EducationElementary SchoolEquityFeaturedFirst Year TeachersFreshGifted and Talented EducationHigh SchoolHigher EducationHigher Education EdTechK-12Middle SchoolModern ParentingOnline Learning & eLearningParent & Family TechParentingPersonalized LearningPodcastPolicy & ReformSecondary EducationSTEMTeacher EducationTeachersTesting

    The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 4: How to Create a Culturally Responsive Classroom

    Spread the loveBuilding a culturally responsive classroom is hard. To help you along your journey, here is your guide to exploring and respecting the cultural backgrounds of your students while ...

RSS Matthew on Education Week

  • Au Revoir from Education Futures November 20, 2018 Matthew Lynch
  • 6 Steps to Data-Driven Literacy Instruction October 17, 2018 Matthew Lynch
  • Four Keys to a Modern IT Approach in K-12 Schools October 2, 2018 Matthew Lynch
  • What's the Difference Between Burnout and Demoralization, and What Can Teachers Do About It? September 27, 2018 Matthew Lynch
  • Revisiting Using Edtech for Bullying and Suicide Prevention September 10, 2018 Matthew Lynch

About Us

The Edvocate was created in 2014 to argue for shifts in education policy and organization in order to enhance the quality of education and the opportunities for learning afforded to P-20 students in America. What we envisage may not be the most straightforward or the most conventional ideas. We call for a relatively radical and certainly quite comprehensive reorganization of American’s P-20 system.

That reorganization, though, and the underlying effort, will have much to do with reviving the American education system, and reviving a national love of learning.  The Edvocate plans to be one of key architects of this revival, as it continues to advocate for education reform, equity, and innovation.

Newsletter

Signup for The Edvocate Newsletter and have the latest in P-20 education news and opinion delivered to your email address!

Contact

The Edvocate
5322 Markel Road, Suite 104
Richmond, VA 23230
(601) 630-5238
[email protected]

Follow us

Copyright (c) 2021 Matthew Lynch. All rights reserved.