Bernadette Rodrigo, M.Ed. Director of Children's Village Penn Medicine Doylestown Health Bernadette Rodrigo, M.Ed. Director of Children's Village Penn Medicine Doylestown Health

DAP (Developmentally Appropriate Practice): Three Letters That Mean So Much

Don't let the pressure to get your child "ready" for kindergarten fool you. Rote memorization and worksheets aren't as important as building a genuine understanding of foundational skills. According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the most effective way to promote a child’s learning development is through using a Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) approach. This approach, which focuses on hands-on exploration rather than structured lessons, helps children build a strong foundation for future learning while developing essential motor, problem-solving, and social-emotional skills. With DAP, kids learn at their own pace, fostering a love of learning that leads to long-term success.

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