FL DCF Child Care Understanding Developmentally Appropriate Practices (UDAP) 2019
Information caregivers can provide to parents
Interaction with other children Progression in development Child's interests How they slept and ate while in care Diapering/potty information What the child did during day Information about the child's friends
Single Parent/Foster Parent/Grandparents as Primary Caregiver Barriers
Lack of resources Lack of time Financial needs require them to work more hours
Special Needs Barriers
Lack of time (doctors' appointments/therapy sessions) Financial (medical bills) Extra demands and additional stress, sometimes little relief from caregiving duties Difficulty in finding quality care
T or F? Developmentally appropriate programs have clearly defined individual activities for each child in care.
True
T or F? In developmentally appropriate classrooms, children actively explore their environment and materials under the watchful eye and guiding words of a responsive, caring adult.
True
T or F? In the United States, there is growing concern that many children do not enter school ready to learn.
True
T or F? Individual appropriateness highlights the idea that every group is made up of individuals who have different strengths, weaknesses and developmental needs.
True
T or F? Knowledgeable caregivers are able to build on what children already know and can do.
True
T or F? Research shows that children need educational experiences that support development across all domains, with each skill building on one another.
True
True or False? Family engagement has a profound effect on what we do and how we feel about the work we do.
True
True or False? The number of children being raised by single parents, foster parents, or grandparents as the primary caregiver is larger than ever before.
True
True or False? You can help relieve separation anxiety through teamwork with parents.
True
A child's age, temperament, personality, and family history
are all factors that affect his or her development.
Structural indicators:
are things that are "regulable," meaning they can be monitored and are important for providing consistent care. Examples: Licensure Lower ratios Smaller group size Caregiver qualifications Professional development for staff Health and safety regulations Inclusive environment
Process indicators:
are what programs "do" to help promote development through specific activities and intentional practices. Process indicators are observable interactions. Examples: Curriculum and established routines Language and reasoning activities Sensitive, responsive interactions Collaboration and provisions for parents and families Parent, teacher, and child interactions Child-sized furnishings Well defined and equipped space that meets the needs of all children
Since poor quality care can actually harm children, we need to do a better job. We can do this by
by informing parents about the importance of choosing quality care and making quality care affordable and accessible.
True or False? Two types of indicators of quality care are structural indicators and progression indicators.
False Two types of indicators of quality care are structural indicators or process indicators
True or False? As a caregiver, you should not let a child's family culture get involved in the classroom community.
False Cultural groups differ in many ways, especially when it comes to child-rearing practices, such as behavior, feeding, sleeping, toileting and individualization.
True or False? Curriculum is a structural indicator of quality child care.
False Curriculum and established routines are process indicators
True or False? If a child has special needs, a caregiver does not need to focus on the child's culture in building a positive relationship with the family.
False Developmentally Appropriate Practice emphasizes the need for teachers to become more intentional about what they do. This includes building a positive relationship with each child and family within the context of their culture and through the inclusion of children with special needs.
To partner effectively with families, you need to use unique ways to get them interested and involved.
Caregivers need to think of creative ways to include them in your program's activities. Ask parents if you may send home things for them to do, such as typing, creating newsletters, cutting out bulletin board, etc. But, don't give up.
According to the Florida Statutes:
Children shall not be subjected to discipline that is severe, humiliating, or frightening Discipline shall not be associated with food, rest, or toileting Spanking, or any other form of physical punishment is prohibited
What are some of the things teachers can intentionally do to help establish a positive, reciprocal relationship with families?
Create an environment where parents and children feel welcome and included. Provide opportunities for open dialog and two-way communication. Respect parents' preferences, choices and concerns for their children. Identify the parents' strengths and weaknesses. Stay on neutral ground, leaving strong emotions out as much as possible.
Quality Preschool has
Developmentally appropriate curriculum Developmentally appropriate assessment procedures Continuous staff training Administrative support Low teacher/student ratio Systematic effort to involve parents
T or F? The three components of Developmentally Appropriate Practice are age appropriateness, individual appropriateness, and special needs appropriateness.
False Developmentally Appropriate Practice focuses on children birth through eight years old and is made up of three principle components: age appropriateness, individual appropriateness, and social/cultural appropriateness.
T or F? The goals we have for children should be challenging and unattainable so they can be the same for the entire year.
False Developmentally Appropriate Practice requires caregivers to know their children well and meet them where they are. In doing this, they are able to create learning experiences that are challenging and achievable.
True or False? Some benefits of quality early child care are increased athleticism and superior fine motor skills.
False Examples of benefits: Lower delinquency rates Increased graduation rates Adults who earn higher salaries Increased home ownership Better cognitive and language skills Adults who spend less time participating in social programs or on welfare
True or False? The Perry Preschool Study included children birth to age eight.
False In the study, three- and four-year-olds (all economically disadvantaged) were studied - ½ attended a quality preschool, ½ did not attend a preschool at all.
T or F? Individual appropriateness means considering the needs of each child based on what is typical of children at the same age.
False Individual appropriateness means considering the needs of each child as a unique individual. Age appropriateness means considering the needs of each child based on what is typical of children at the same age.
T or F? When a caregiver considers what is typical for a child within a given age group, this is known as individual appropriateness.
False Individual appropriateness means considering the needs of each child as a unique individual. Age appropriateness means considering the needs of each child based on what is typical of children at the same age.
True or False? Licensure, professional development, and exclusive environments are all examples of structural indicators.
False Licensure, professional development, and Inclusive environment (not exclusive)
True or False? Quality early care alone leads to quality outcomes for children.
False Quality Early Care + Quality Education = Quality Outcomes for Children
True or False? A separation plan is a complex system prescribed to ease the transition between home and school.
False Separation plans can be as simple as allowing a child to bring in a security object (blanket, photo). This helps ease the transition between home and school.
True or False? It is unnecessary to form partnerships with uncooperative families.
False Sometimes, no matter how hard you work to get to know or involve parents in their child's education, some will still not participate in your program. To partner effectively with families, you need to use unique ways to get them interested and involved.
T or F? Studies show that highly effective teachers improvise goals for children and sporadically prepare environments, experiences and activities to meet those goals.
False Studies show, highly effective teachers have clearly defined goals for children and they thoughtfully prepare environments, experiences and activities to meet those goals.
True or False? Since most children receive the same level of quality experiences early in life, they typically enter school with the skills they need and are ready to learn.
False There is growing evidence that many children do not receive the same level of quality experiences early in life, and therefore, they do not enter school with the skills they need, nor are they ready to learn.
T or F? One critical challenge that impacts early childhood practices is initiating and combining preschool and elementary school programming.
False Three critical challenges impacting early childhood practices are: 1. Addressing differences in school success and achievement *2. Integrating and aligning preschool and elementary school programming 3. Improving teacher preparation, professional development and ongoing support
T or F? A critical challenge impacting early childhood practices is helping professionals minimize their participation in professional development opportunities.
False Three critical challenges impacting early childhood practices are: Addressing differences in school success and achievement Integrating and aligning preschool and elementary school programming *Improving teacher preparation, professional development and ongoing support
True or False? It is important to require all families to participate in the program in the same manner so caregivers are treating everyone fairly.
False Working with families requires us to respond in a way that is flexible so that we can individualize our actions to best meet the needs of every child.
True or False? You can connect parents to resources in their community by asking them to write articles for your newsletter.
False You can ask local college students in child development courses to write articles for your newsletter, give parents recommendations for magazines or books relevant to children, or ask parents to contribute articles or check local government agencies for articles that have important information to share.
How can you make every parent and child look forward to coming into your classroom each day?
Greet each child at the door, if possible. Make eye contact with the children, or position yourself at their eye level, to let them know you are really listening. Create a comfortable and inviting environment. Share observations about children with parents. Call each child by name. Have activities for the children to do when they enter.
What are some common concerns parents may have about leaving their child in child care?
Have I failed as a parent? Will my child be safe? Will my child be happy? Will I miss out on important "firsts"? Will taking them to child care have an effect on their learning?
Information parents can provide to caregivers
Health and growth history Relationship with other family members Family history (divorce, separation, remarriage, sources of family stress) Child's likes/dislikes Eating/sleeping trends at home Allergies/medical information Family culture/lifestyle
Language/Custom Barriers
Parents and children have a difficult time "fitting in;" comfort level is low. Communication between caregivers and/or director and family may be infrequent or misunderstood. Increased efforts need to be made to communicate using a variety of methods, formally and informally.
When both parents work, often times they feel tremendous guilt for having to place their child in out-of-home care.
Parents want to feel as though you love and care for their child as you would your own.
Quality Early Care + Quality Education =
Quality Outcomes for Children
Quality Care Benefits Everyone
The benefits associated with high-quality care are linked to a child's ability to be successful in school and in life. Parents and communities who have access to quality care tend to have a more stable workforce.
Developmentally Appropriate Practice emphasizes the need for teachers to become more intentional about what they do.
This includes building a positive relationship with each child and family within the context of their culture and through the inclusion of children with special needs.
True or False? As communities become more diverse culturally and linguistically, so will the "community" within your classroom.
True As communities become more diverse culturally and linguistically, so will the "community" within your classroom.
True or False? There is mounting evidence that child care quality impacts a child's ability to grow intellectually and socially.
True There is mounting evidence that suggests child care quality impacts a child's ability to grow intellectually and socially.
True or False? Cost is one issue that caregivers face when trying to help parents stay connected and involved.
True Another issue may be the cost of helping parents stay connected and involved. You may want to look into ways to generate extra funds needed by inviting parents to participate in fundraisers.
True or False? As a caregiver, you can keep parents informed and connected by having resources and information available.
True Another way to keep parents informed and connected is to have resources and information available.
T or F? Teacher intentionality is at the heart of the Developmentally Appropriate Practice methodology.
True At the heart of the Developmentally Appropriate Practice methodology is the concept of intentionality. The reality is that good teachers know teaching is not occasional or accidental. It is intentional.
T or F? Considering the social and cultural contexts in which children grow and live is known as social/cultural appropriateness.
True Children's learning experiences are enhanced when caregivers are aware of and support the social and cultural contexts in which they live.
T or F? between preschools and elementary schools greatly enhances educational quality and improves child outcomes.
True Creating curricular connection, communication and collaboration between preschools and elementary schools would greatly enhance educational quality and improve child outcomes.
T or F? Effective teaching strategies for extending the learning experience may include having conversations, using questioning techniques, and allowing large blocks of time to practice newly acquired skills.
True Effective teaching strategies for extending the learning experience may include having conversations, using questioning techniques and allowing large blocks of time to practice newly acquired skills.
True or False? The outcomes of quality experiences early in life include increased graduation rates and high salaries during adulthood.
True Examples of outcomes of quality experiences early in life include: Lower delinquency rates Increased graduation rates Adults who earn higher salaries Increased home ownership Better cognitive and language skills Adults who spend less time participating in social programs or on welfare
True or False? Licensure is a structural indicator of quality care.
True Examples of structural indicators: Licensure Lower ratios Smaller group size Caregiver qualifications Professional development for staff Health and safety regulations Inclusive environment
True or False? Structural indicators include smaller group sizes, caregiver qualifications, and health and safety regulations.
True Examples of structural indicators: Licensure Lower ratios Smaller group size Caregiver qualifications Professional development for staff Health and safety regulations Inclusive environment
True or False? Forming partnerships with parents is one of the ways we support healthy growth and development in children.
True Forming partnerships with parents is one of the ways we support healthy growth and development in children.
T or F? Teachers are professional decision makers who are all well prepared and have all of the resources necessary to assist them in decision making.
True Fundamental to Developmentally Appropriate Practice is the understanding that all teachers make important decisions every day. Preplanning and organizing the environment with learning goals and objectives in mind
True or False? High-quality care helps parents to be better employees and it helps employers to retain a stable workforce, which in turn helps the entire community.
True High-quality care helps parents to be better employees and it helps employers to retain a stable workforce, which in turn helps the entire community.
True or False? Parents rely on child care professionals to dedicate increasingly greater amounts of time to providing an "educational foundation" than ever before.
True In the United States, educators basically believe that in order to become a productive citizen, adults need to be literate and academically successful. With this increased pressure to succeed, parents are relying on child care professionals to dedicate an even greater amount of time to, and place a stronger emphasis on, providing an "educational foundation" than ever before.
True or False? Parents and communities who have access to quality care tend to have a more stable workforce.
True Parents and communities who have access to quality care tend to have a more stable workforce.
True or False? Providing quality early experiences can potentially lead to lower delinquency rates.
True Studies suggest quality experiences early in life lead to better outcomes for children. These experiences lead to: Lower delinquency rates Increased graduation rates Adults who earn higher salaries Increased home ownership Better cognitive and language skills Adults who spend less time participating in social programs or on welfare
True or False? The quality of care children receive in the first five years has a lasting effect on them and their ability to succeed.
True The quality of care, good or bad, children receive in the first five years has a lasting effect on them and their ability to succeed.
T or F? One critical challenge currently impacting early childhood practices is addressing differences in school success and achievement.
True Three critical challenges impacting early childhood practices are: 1. Addressing differences in school success and achievement 2. Integrating and aligning preschool and elementary school programming 3. Improving teacher preparation, professional development and ongoing support
True or False? Investing in quality early childhood programming leads to saving money later.
True What this means to society is that investing in quality early childhood programming leads to saving money later. In one study, the benefits were a savings of $7.14 for every dollar spent in a preschool program.
Quality child care lays the foundation for
a lifetime of success.
When you are consistent, respectful and open, you communicate
a spirit of willingness to partner and negotiate more effectively.
Three critical challenges impacting early childhood practices are:
addressing disparities in school success and achievement; integrating and aligning preschool and elementary school programming; and improving teacher preparation, professional development and ongoing support.
Developmentally Appropriate Practice focuses on children birth through eight years old and is made up of three principle components:
age appropriateness, individual appropriateness, and social/cultural appropriateness.
Cultural groups differ in many ways, especially when it comes to child-rearing practices, such as
behavior, feeding, sleeping, toileting and individualization.
Indicators of quality include:
both structural and process measures. Quality child care programs consistently maintain licensing standards and demonstrate responsive caregiving practices.
High-quality care means
children are getting the solid foundation they need to be healthy, happy, and successful throughout life.
A lack of quality care has negative effects on
children's school readiness and development.
Establishing a partnership with parents requires
consistent communication. Caregivers and parents need to acknowledge and deal with differences in child-rearing beliefs and practices in a constructive way. The common goal should be the development of the child!
To be an effective teacher
early childhood professionals must recognize that families are a valuable resource. They have in-depth knowledge about their child, home, and the community in which they live. This information needs to be shared. This critical information is needed to make informed decisions and lays the foundations for establishing a positive, reciprocal relationship.
Working with families requires us to respond in a way that is
flexible so that we can individualize our actions to best meet the needs of every child.
Children who form secure attachments with adults
have a better chance of becoming secure adults.
High-quality care
helps parents to be better employees and it helps employers to retain a stable workforce, which in turn helps the entire community.
Engaging diverse families in early childhood programs
helps promote the health and well-being of the whole family.
It is essential we are intentional about the way we partner with families
in order to raise healthy, competent children.
The best way to deal with parents' worries is to show them you understand and are
informed, honest, and available.
The limbic system
is in the back of the brain and is the area that is responsible for emotions.
The number of children being raised by single parents, foster parents, or grandparents as the primary caregiver
is larger than ever before.
Forming partnerships with parents
is one of the ways we support healthy growth and development in children.
The disciplinary practices of your program
must obey state and federal laws at all times and should promote social and emotional health for the children in care.
Becoming aware of the messages we "send" is
one way to open the lines of communication.
Working with children and families transitioning into group care requires
patience, understanding, and reassurance.
Caregivers should be intentional about planning learning experiences that are
purposeful, challenging, and achievable.
Children attach to people who are
responsive and provide comfort and reassurance through quality interactions!
Developmentally Appropriate Practice emphasizes the need for
teachers to become more intentional about what they do. This includes building a positive relationship with each child and family within the context of their culture and through the inclusion of children with special needs.
The cortex is in
the front of the brain and is responsible for high-level thinking.
Children's learning experiences are enhanced when caregivers are aware of and support
the social and cultural contexts in which they live.
Parents often have an overwhelming need to be reassured that
their caregiver knows what he or she is doing and why he or she is doing it.
When you yell at a child, they have trouble thinking logically because
their limbic system is controlling the brain. This is often called "fight or flight."
Knowing relationships are complex, both caregivers and parents
to have a safe, secure environment that allows them to express and explore their own feelings and the feelings and viewpoints of others.
Knowing the typical behaviors and growth patterns for a certain age group is necessary
to plan the most appropriate environments and activities to optimize the learning experience for children in care.
The parent is the child's first teacher; your role is
to provide support and complement his/her efforts.
