Effective early childhood teaching is highly complex and involves an understanding of child development and learning, children as individuals, and the social and cultural contexts of each child. “Developmentally appropriate practice” is defined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) as “methods that promote each child’s optimal development and learning through a strengths-based, play-based approach to joyful, engaged learning.” Early childhood educators should know that implementing such practice requires intentional teaching, where purposeful decision-making builds on the needs and interests of children to foster development and learning.
Write a 1,000-1,250 word essay that unpacks these concepts of early childhood teaching. Include the following in your essay:
Summarize key aspects of developmentally appropriate practice and intentional teaching, including the utilization of play and playful learning as a core teaching practice.
Explain how knowledge of developmental milestones can equip early childhood educators to provide developmentally appropriate and evidence-based instruction.
Describe 3-4 factors and influences on early development and learning that should be considered in identifying readiness for learning (e.g., physical, cognitive, social and emotional, and linguistic domains such as bilingual/multilingual development).
Explain 2-3 of the complex instructional decisions a teacher must make to ensure young children are supported based on knowledge of age-appropriate development and learning and by taking their cultural contexts, experiences, and individual differences into account.
Support your essay with 3-5 scholarly resources.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
