13 Because these principles are interrelated, this linear list does not fully represent their overall complexity.ĭevelopment and learning are dynamic processes that reflect the complex interplay between a child’s biological characteristics and the environment, each shaping the other as well as future patterns of growth.Īdvances in neuroscience over the last two decades have provided new insights regarding the processes of early brain development and their long-term implications for development and learning.
These principles reflect an extensive research base that is only partially referenced here. NAEYC’s guidelines and recommendations for developmentally appropriate practice are based on the following nine principles and their implications for early childhood education professional practice.
