Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth Through Age 8, Fourth Edition (Fully Revised and Updated)

Clear, Relevant, Evidence-Based Guidance to Support Early Childhood Educators

*Academic's Choice Awards Smart Book Winner*

Developmentally appropriate practice is the foundation on which quality early learning is built. The fourth edition of this classic, influential text addresses developmentally appropriate practice within the context of the ever-changing and evolving world of early childhood education. With a strong focus on equity and teaching and supporting all children, it underscores the importance of social, cultural, and historical contexts of development.    

Research Based

Based on what the research says about child development, how children learn, and effective practices—as well as what professional experience tells the field about intentional teaching—this book provides a thorough discussion of the core considerations, principles, and guidelines that inform educators’ decision making. You’ll find extensive examples of effective approaches for teaching children across the early childhood spectrum as well as specific examples for infants and toddlers, preschoolers, kindergartners, and children in the primary grades.  Even More Resources for Early Childhood Professionals

This edition provides a comprehensive approach to implementing practices that ensure all young children have access to high-quality early learning. New resources in the book and online support higher education faculty, K–3 leaders, and early childhood educators in extending their own and others’ knowledge and application of developmentally appropriate practice.

For higher education faculty:

• Suggested activities, assignments, and reflections that correspond to specific content in the book
• Key areas of practice in NAEYC’s position statement on developmentally appropriate practice
• Professional standards and competencies
• A test bank to create quick quizzes

For K–3 leaders:

• Considerations for incorporating developmentally appropriate practice into K–3 schools and programs
• Guidance for fostering children’s joyful learning and maximize learning opportunities for all children

For early childhood educators:

• Tips and resources for engaging with content in the book, extending learning with additional resources, and collaborating with others in the early childhood learning community 

A range of early childhood experts will be key contributors including the following: 

NAEYC Volume Editor: 

Susan Friedman is senior director of publishing and content development at NAEYC. In this role, she leads the content development work of NAEYC’s books and periodicals teams. Ms. Friedman is coeditor of Each and Every Child: Teaching Preschool with an Equity Lens. She has extensive prior experience creating content on play, developmentally appropriate uses of media, and other topics for educators and families. She began her career as a preschool teacher at City and Country School in New York City. She holds degrees from Vassar College and the Harvard Graduate School of Education. 

Volume Editors and Contributing Editors: 

Sue Bredekamp, PhD, is an early childhood education consultant on developmentally appropriate practice, curriculum, teaching, and professional development. She coedited NAEYC’s 1986, 1997, and 2009 editions of Developmentally Appropriate Practice, and she developed and directed NAEYC’s accreditation system for early childhood programs. Dr. Bredekamp is the author of an introductory teacher education textbook, Effective Practices in Early Childhood Education: Building a Foundation, Third Edition (Pearson, 2016). 

Marie Masterson, PhD, is director of quality assessment at the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership. She is a licensed teacher, national speaker, and author of many books and articles that address research-based, practical skills for high-quality teaching, children’s development and behavior in cultural contexts, family engagement, and family child care. Dr. Masterson provides content expertise and consultation to organizations and systems involved in quality improvement and leadership development. 

Barbara Willer, PhD, retired from NAEYC after 35 years of service and leadership. During her tenure, Dr. Willer led many substantive projects to further NAEYC’s mission. The capstone efforts of her contributions to NAEYC and the field were leading the development of the position statements “Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education” (2019) and “Developmentally Appropriate Practice” (2020).

Brian L. Wright, PhD, is associate professor and coordinator of the early childhood education program as well as coordinator of the middle school cohort of the African American Male Academy at the University of Memphis. Dr. Wright is author of The Brilliance of Black Boys: Cultivating School Success in the Early Grades, with contributions by Shelly L. Counsell, which won the National Association for Multicultural Education’s 2018 Phillip C. Chinn Book Award.