DESCRIPTION
This module presents the topic of age appropriateness when working with children birth through kindergarten. To understand best practices in an early learning environment, it is critical to have a firm foundation in the understanding of children’s physical, cognitive, language, and socio-emotional development. Within each domain, key concepts will be identified as well as their implications for age-appropriate teaching strategies across the early years.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Understand how infants’ attachment, pre-literacy skills, and emerging physical skills influence the implementation of a nurturing and caring early learning environment.
- Cultivate a classroom structure and design activities age-appropriate for toddlers.
- Foster preschoolers’ physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development through the application of developmentally appropriate practices.
HANDOUT
Age-Appropriateness Handout
RESOURCES
Books
Copple, C. (2012). Growing Minds: Building Strong Cognitive Foundations in Early Childhood. Washington, D.C.: National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Dombro, A. L., Jablon, J., Stetson, C. (2020). Powerful Interactions: How to Connect with Children to Extend Their Learning (2nd ed.). Washington, D.C.: National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Epstein, A. S. (2014). The Intentional Teacher: Choosing the Best Strategies for Young Children’s Learning. Washington, D.C.: National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Washington, V. (2017). Essentials for Working with Young Children (2nd ed.). Washington, D.C.: Child Development Associate.
Articles
Milestones of Child Development
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/pdf/LTSAE-Checklist_COMPLIANT_30MCorrection_508.pdf
https://www.pbs.org/wholechild/abc/index.html
Developmentally Appropriate Practices
https://www.naeyc.org/resources/position-statements/dap/enhance-development
Age-Appropriate Reading Expectations
https://www.zerotothree.org/resource/read-early-and-often/
Age-Appropriate Play Practices
https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/support-learning-with-play
Age-Appropriate Executive Functioning and Emotion Regulation Activities
Enhancing-and-Practicing-Executive-Function-Skills-with-Children-from-Infancy-to-Adolescence-1.pdf (harvardcenter.wpenginepowered.com)
Videos
Attachment Theory
https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?&q=attachment+theory&&mid=5BF94EA9A72E847984255BF94EA9A72E84798425&&FORM=VRDGAR
Developmentally Appropriate Practice
https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?&q=Developmentally+Appropriate+Practice+Examples&&mid=42BEA2DFE82B4E0BB30642BEA2DFE82B4E0BB306&&FORM=VRDGAR
FOR FURTHER STUDY
Martin Luther College Courses
EDU9101 Early Childhood Basics I
EDU9102 Early Childhood Basics 2
EDU9103 Early Childhood Basics 3
EDU8101 Intellectual, Social, and Emotional Development
EDU8106 Play and Learning Experiences
PED8101 Physical and Motor Development for Preprimary
PSY3010 Child Development (0-8)
