Why are ages and stages important???

So that we can set developmentally appropriate expectations.

Developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) is an approach to teaching grounded in the research on how young children develop and learn and in what is known about effective early education. Its framework is designed to promote young children’s optimal learning and development.
Check out this presentation on Ages and Stages from Kathy Lee by clicking here!
The best way to teach children in a developmentally appropriate manner is through PLAY…
In short…PLAY builds the brain, develops the whole child, and contributes to children becoming who they were meant to be.
“Play is a vital way for the brain to integrate its divergent parts and build complex synaptic connections. This is key to brain stabilization, organization and development. “ - Stuart Brown, MD
“When children play, their brains are engaged in numerous pattern-seeking processes that construct, organize and synthesize knowledge.
These processes Include:

Sorting
Ordering
Classifying
Counting
Patterning
Measuring
problem solving
organizing
comparing
describing
storytelling
Inventing
constructing
deciding 
explaining
mapping
cooperating
experimenting
imagining
questioning
creating
symbol making

What is the role of a DAP Teacher/parent?

Observe
Facilitate
Encourage
Have realistic expectations
Focus on progression rather than perfection
Remember

“Childhood is the world of miracle and wonder, as if creation rose and bathed in light, out of darkness, utterly new and fresh and astonishing. The end of childhood is when things cease to astonish us. When the world seems familiar, when we have gotten used to existence, one has become an adult.” - E. Jonesco
“Every stage of development is complete in itself. The 3 year old is not an incomplete 5 year old. The child is not an incomplete adult. Never are we simply on our way, always we have arrived!   Enjoy now!” - JC Pearce