Past Present and Future
Mandated Curriculum vs. Developmentally Appropriate Practices
Introduction As a parent I have become concerned about the new state-mandated, textbook-based curriculum for Kindergarten. I have decided to write a letter to the school board to protest the new policy. In the letter I will define DAP, the benefits with examples, why I believe the use of the textbook-based curriculum may be inappropriate. I will give reasons for the potential negative effects of the textbook-based curriculum and how it can be developmentally inappropriate to literacy development. In my closing argument I will suggest an alternative approach to developing literacy skills.
What is DAP DAP stands for “developmentally appropriate practice,” according to (Jaruszewicz, 2012), “DAP is not a curriculum but a framework for how to think about curriculum in a way that takes into account what we know about how young children grow and learn.” DAP assists in the research on how the young children begin developing, learning, and what is effective in early education. With the assistance of DAP the children’s optimal learning and development are promoted. Benefits of DAP To begin an example of DAP is the clipboard with pens next to it located on a table by the door for parents and the children to sign in and out at the before and after school program for the center I work at. The way this benefits the children is that it creates a “welcoming environment, lets the children know that we think about them, makes them part of the routine, allows the children to imitate adult behavior and roles” (Developmentally Appropriate Practices with Young Children, n.d.). An individual can see in a developmentally appropriate classroom would be “open-ended art, small group activities- based on interest, problem-solving, media tables, easels open, art, music, and science accessible” (Developmentally Appropriate Practices with Young Children, n.d.). In a
Introduction As a parent I have become concerned about the new state-mandated, textbook-based curriculum for Kindergarten. I have decided to write a letter to the school board to protest the new policy. In the letter I will define DAP, the benefits with examples, why I believe the use of the textbook-based curriculum may be inappropriate. I will give reasons for the potential negative effects of the textbook-based curriculum and how it can be developmentally inappropriate to literacy development. In my closing argument I will suggest an alternative approach to developing literacy skills.
What is DAP DAP stands for “developmentally appropriate practice,” according to (Jaruszewicz, 2012), “DAP is not a curriculum but a framework for how to think about curriculum in a way that takes into account what we know about how young children grow and learn.” DAP assists in the research on how the young children begin developing, learning, and what is effective in early education. With the assistance of DAP the children’s optimal learning and development are promoted. Benefits of DAP To begin an example of DAP is the clipboard with pens next to it located on a table by the door for parents and the children to sign in and out at the before and after school program for the center I work at. The way this benefits the children is that it creates a “welcoming environment, lets the children know that we think about them, makes them part of the routine, allows the children to imitate adult behavior and roles” (Developmentally Appropriate Practices with Young Children, n.d.). An individual can see in a developmentally appropriate classroom would be “open-ended art, small group activities- based on interest, problem-solving, media tables, easels open, art, music, and science accessible” (Developmentally Appropriate Practices with Young Children, n.d.). In a
References: Developmentally Appropriate Practices with Young Children. (n.d.). Retrieved May 19, 2013 from http://123child.com/website-share/D.A.P..pdf Jaruszewicz, C. (2012) Curriculum and methods for early childhood educators. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education Kindergarten. (n.d.). Retrieved May 20, 2013 from http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/english/stdsk-8/stds_englishK.pdf