Three Types of Information and Knowledge

In its position statement on Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Young Children from Birth Through Age 8, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (1996) describes three types of information and knowledge that are important to early childhood professionals:

"Developmentally appropriate practices result from the process of professionals making decisions about the well-being and education of children based on at least three important kinds of information or knowledge:

What is known about child development and learning--knowledge of age-related human characteristics that permit general predictions within an age range about what activities, materials, interactions, or experiences will be safe, healthy, interesting, achievable, and also challenging to children.

What is known about the strengths, interest, and needs of each individual child in the group to be able to adapt for and be responsive to inevitable individual variation.

Knowledge of the social and cultural contexts in which children live to ensure that learning experiences are meaningful, relevant, and respectful for the participating children and their families." (pp. 4-5)

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