What does a developmentally appropriate, equitable approach to teaching kindergarten look like? This book offers an accessible exploration of educator practice in real kindergarten classrooms. Each section of the book includes a range of classroom examples that address key topics and highlight diverse settings and contributors. Readers peek into classrooms around the country to see how teachers make intentional decisions to provide equitable learning for each child, based on their community’s specific contexts (those of the children, families, teachers, school, and wider community). Showcases how educators support math learning, literacy development, social and emotional development, and more in playful, joyful environments based on learning goals and standards. Educators can use the content as a model to adapt and put into practice in their own classrooms.
Chapters address the six DAP guidelines and include the following:
- A brief overview of the guidelines
- Select articles from NAEYC’s peer-reviewed periodical, Young Children, and new content that showcase excellent practice related to the guideline
If you've ever wondered how effective teachers actually do DAP in kindergarten, this is the book for you. You will see how kindergarten educators provide integrated learning opportunities that you can adapt to create a robust learning environment that is play oriented and supportive of required mandates and expectations. You'll read about educators making intentional decisions in key areas of practice, which form the six guidelines for DAP in action:Building a strengths-based community where everyone is welcomed and supported to grow and learnFacilitating reciprocal partnerships with familiesObserving, assessing, and documenting children's learning and developmentUsing teaching strategies that enhance learning for each childImplementing curriculum tied to meaningful learning goalsDemonstrating professionalismThis book will inspire you to apply these guidelines to establish goals and create learning experiences that fit who and where your students are and advocate for practices and environments that facilitate equitable, joyful learning for all kindergartners.
