DAP 2 – DAP Is the ONLY Way to Go!

~ teachsinger
  • In a learning community in which DAP is used: Print Teachers are completely familiar with the stages of child development                                                                    
  • The environment is physically suited to the ages/stages of the children                                                                  
  • There is laughter, chatter, and an obviously warm relationship between the teachers and children                                                                                               
  • There is freedom of expression and pride of self and family                                                                            
  • Experiences are child-centered and there are many opportunities for decision-making                                    
  • There is no pressure to perform to a non-developmentally appropriate test                                              
  • Experiences are relevant and enjoyable but purposeful 
  • There are no labels or diagnoses given to children by teachers

With Respect and Apologies to comedian, Jeff Foxworthy, You Might be a DAPPER if:

  • You can describe what happens in your classroom once the children arrive without using the pronoun, “I”.  If you want a starring role in the production, head for Hollywood or beat for Broadway.
  • You never pass up good stopping places during Circle Time by not paying attention to hints from your children that they have had enough and you do not insist all children sit up, “cross-cross-applesauce”, paying strict attention to you without wiggling for looooong periods of time.
  • You only do paperwork when the children (and Elvis) have left the building.
  • You get down on the children’s level when you speak or listen to them and you interact with them on the playground for purposes other than to holler, “Up the ladder, down the slide!” or “Keep the sand in the sandbox!” – both unnecessary rules, by the way.
  • You do not expect the children to remember rules, concepts and facts that have not been ACTIVELY learned.
  • You are not the Diva of Dittos and the Wonder Woman of Worksheets!
  • None of your children’s art projects look identical to each other (or your “demo”).  Your walls are covered with children’s work and words, not with identical coloring book pages or teacher corrected “art” with the googly eyes glued in just the right spots on the jack o’lantern faces.
  • Your schedules do not include long, passive, waiting periods or idle transitions without action.
  • Pencil and paper practice sessions are only offered as options (maybe in your Kindergarten Center) on an individual basis for those who are TRULY READY.
  • There’s no attitude of “RIGHT ANSWERS ONLY!”, because children MUST be free to use mistakes and use them as learning tools.
  • There is no learning by rote memorization that is not accompanied by action, music, rhyme, or chant. Even Einstein sang the ABC song when he filed his scientific paperwork.
  • There is no teacher-diagnosis of Autism, ADD, ADHD, Developmental Delay, or Learning Disabled (as this is not your job) and there is NEVER labeling children by negative words like “shy, sneaky, manipulative, mean, selfish, slow, behind, gifted, or smarter than.”

If you are a DAPPER –

  • There is smiling, laughing, singing, chanting, talking, and playing WITH the children – indoors and out
  • There is dancing, music, large muscle active play, children making choices and teachers asking open-ended questions and having kind words for each and every child 
  • There is time for individual, small-group, and whole-group work. 
  • There are children doing things for themselves and for others.
  • There is obvious and continuous and respectful parent involvement.

Next blog:  Execution – How the Learning is Delivered – Dappin’ for the Body

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