Application means assuring that children have opportunities to use what they have learned in the same way repeatedly (practice) or in new ways.  They need to be allowed and encouraged to use their new skills over and over until they are completely comfortable with them, they need to find new ways to use the learned skills, and then they need to scaffold, or build new skills on those learned skills. 

Application comes when teachers repeat valuable experiences, change them to match both individual and whole group growth, and then introduce challenges to encourage further growth.

Application is the continuous process of repeating learning and then using it in a new way – it is the Voila!; the AHA!; the Helen Keller connects sign to speech moment!  Teachers need to notice and recognize the Application moments, realize their importance in the learning process, celebrate and document them.

SARA Through the Day – Creating opportunities for Selection, Action, Reflection, and Application throughout the day is the essence of using Developmentally Appropriate Practice. Each of the Routine Elements of the day and each of the Curricular Elements of the day include some form of the SARA System.  SARA is not always something formally documented on a weekly lesson plan, but a system teachers need to keep in mind as they go through the day so that the mood of the environment, the teaching techniques, and the schedule all encourage and allow for SARA opportunities.

The Routine Elements of the day include the SARA components naturally, but are sometimes overlooked. Attention should be called to them so teachers realize their importance and make sure to recognize and make use of them in the busy routine of the day. Allowing children more freedom to select or make choices about food, hygiene, and transitions; being patient and observant while they participate (act); using routine elements (walking to the playground, chatting while waiting for the bus) for times of reflection; and NOTICING when children apply their learning in new ways during routine moments are the ways SARA is emphasized.

The Curricular Elements should include SARA on purpose. Selection may be a part of Circle or Center Time; Action is a part of all the child does; moments and activities for Reflection should be planned; and Application must be encouraged, noticed, named, and honored as real learning.

In a developmentally appropriate classroom, the components of SARA will and should happen continuously throughout the day. 

Next Blog: Minute by Minute – Devising Daily Schedules