Observing DAP in the classroom

Part 1: Use NAEYC’s Developmentally Appropriate Practices to evaluate the developmentally appropriateness of the classroom you are working in this semester for EDU 284.  To do so, first carefully read DAP Position Statement {https://www.naeyc.org/resources/position-statements/dap} and the Ten Effective Teaching Strategies {https://www.naeyc.org/resources/topics/dap/10-effective-dap-teaching-strategies.

Spend time in the classroom with these resources comparing what you see in the classroom to those Developmentally Appropriate Examples and In Contrast Examples.   You will be looking for examples of Principles of Child Development and Learning that Inform Practice (in DAP Position Statement, pages 10 – 16), Guidelines for DAP (in DAP Position Statement, pages 16 – 23), and Effective Teaching Strategies.

Record observation examples of what is developmentally appropriate or what is not developmentally

appropriate about the environment, teacher, etc.  Write each example in such a way that the

observation is fully described AND is clearly aligned or not aligned with a Principle, Guideline, or Teaching

Strategy.

Part 2:  Identify one child in your practicum classroom who needs particular support in developing a skill.  Refer to the appropriate Goal or Goals in NCFELD that matches the child’s age to identify appropriate skills for the child.   Select at least one skill that this child needs support in developing.  Over the course of two weeks, track and monitor this child using the Child Activity Matrix:

Child’s Initials and Age

Part 3:  Using your observations from parts 1 and 2, evaluate the environment and curriculum to determine if changes or adaptations are needed to meet the needs of the child.  Complete CARA’s Kit Adaptation Notes to complete this evaluation.

Cara’s Kit Resources: http://www.heartland.edu/documents/heip/faculty2/CHLD109/Handouts/CARAsKitMiniPosters.pdf

Cara’s Kit Adaptation Notes:

https://inclusioninstitute.fpg.unc.edu/sites/inclusioninstitute.fpg.unc.edu/files/handouts/Milbourne%20Generic%20handout%20for%20adaptations%20presentations%20correct%20hierarchy_0.pdf

Next, implement three or more changes or adaptations to the learning environment and/or curriculum in your practicum classroom.  Fully implement these changes over at least two weeks.  Collect daily anecdotal notes of the child during the implementation.

Part 4:  Summary

The final step of this assignment is to summarize the outcomes of the changes and adaptations using your collection of anecdotal notes.   This summary must also describe your observations and what was learned from part 1, the identified skill from part 2, and descriptions of the changes made in part 3.

Attach and/or submit with your summary the completed child matrix and the completed Adaptation Notes.