The NAEYC position statement on developmentally appropriate practice or DAP (https://www.naeyc.org/resources/ position-statements/dap/contents) highlights core considerations that should inform the decisions of early child-hood educators. Rather than viewing development as a single measurement or domain, DAP reminds us to consider the intersections among commonality in children’s development and learning, individuality reflecting each child’s unique characteristics and experiences, and the context in which development and learning occur (page 6). This issue shares examples of intersections across these and other dimensions.

Visual supports are an evidence-based practice that can support the engagement and participation of diverse young learners. Consider how to use the resources below to support children with disabilities, children who are dual language learners, children who are new to a setting, or any child who benefits from looking and learning.

Open-ended questions, the ones that require more than one-word answers such as yes or no, can stimulate a child’s thinking and help to develop their language skills. Open-ended questions encourage a child to focus and make meaning of their experiences and enable them to see various possibilities. The curated resources from this issue of Natural Resources provide examples that will connect rich, thoughtful questions to curiosity, vocabulary, and all domains of development.

Check out free resources on how to select, adapt, and use toys to support young children in developmentally appropriate play and activities.

This issue of Natural Resources offers information about a few free DAP resources to access, read, and consider using.

In the last year or so, a number of new and excellent resources related to learning about and supporting infants and toddlers have been developed and made available at no cost. This issue shares several of them.

In 1990, Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop published an essay about the importance of providing young readers with diverse books that reflect the “multicultural nature of the world” in which we live. In the essay, Dr. Bishop coined the phrase “Windows, Mirrors and Sliding Glass Doors” to explain how children see themselves in books and how they can also learn about the lives of others through literature. Dr. Bishop makes the point that it’s crucial for children to view themselves in the books they read. Here are resources for learning more about Dr. Bishop and how she has influenced the early childhood field

Here’s a set of free articles, videos, checklists, and graphics that provide information about what UDL is and how to use it to support diverse young learners so they can show us what they know and are able to do.

Free resources to support mindfulness practices with young children