Quality Rating 1: Implementation
Instructions
To meet the requirements for Developmentally Appropriate Learning and Practice: Implementation: DAP 6.1 (DAP 5.1 – School-Age Only), your daily schedule or lesson plan should clearly show:
- Individualized activities to address the developmental needs of each child
- Activities informed by information from a child’s IFSP or IEP, if provided by the family
Individualized Activities
Activities are individualized when they are tailored to meet the developmental needs of individual children to support their development and growth. Individualization can occur throughout the day, during large or small groups, and with individual children. For example, individualization might occur by providing specific materials or activities that support a child’s skill level during a group activity, or by offering different utensils during mealtime to promote fine motor skills.
View the video to discover a variety of examples of individualized activities in a daily schedule or lesson plan.
What does the documentation look like?
High-quality child care programs understand each individual child’s needs, interests, and abilities, and create learning experiences to promote his or her growth and development. High-quality programs support the needs of each and every child, including children with disabilities or special health care needs.
The documentation you submit must demonstrate an example of how you meet the needs of individual children and include these key ingredients:
- Activities that encourage the social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development of each child
- Activities that match the children’s individual developmental levels and needs
- Connections to a child’s Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individualized Education Program (IEP) as appropriate
Activities Informed by a Child’s IFSP/IEP
Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) provide guidance on ways to meet the needs of individual children with special needs. Remember you are a critical member of the team that helps put these plans in action. Your daily schedule or lesson plan is evidence of the important role you play in supporting a child’s progress toward the goals outlined in these documents.
View the video to learn how to document activities informed by a child’s IFSP/IEP to meet the requirement.
What does the documentation look like?
Your daily schedule or lesson plan clearly show ways information from a child’s IFSP or IEP is part of typical routines and activities. Some examples include:
- Use of specialized equipment (examples: chubby crayons, pencil grips, magnifying lenses, or hearing devices)
- Opportunities for a child to practice targeted skills (examples: speech sounds, fine motor skills, or independent/self-help skills)
- Opportunities for peer-to-peer interaction (examples: reading a large print book together, free choice activities, or outdoor play)
Where can you learn more?
- Creating Meaningful Activities and Schedules Gain tips for how to incorporate meaningful experiences for children into your daily schedule.
- Your Daily Schedule or Lesson Plan: Opportunities to Learn, Observe, and Individualize Each routine and activity presents multiple opportunities for each child to participate, develop, and learn new skills throughout the day.
- What is Inclusive Child Care? Inclusion describes the practice of including children with disabilities in a child care setting with typically developing children of similar ages, with specialized instruction and support when needed.
- The IFSP: A Family Guide to Understanding the Individualized Family Service Plan This guide is part of Maryland’s Birth to Kindergarten Parent Information Series, a collection of publications designed to support families in the statewide early intervention and education system of services in Maryland. It will help guide families through the IFSP process and written document.
- What is an IFSP? Early intervention services are intended to support families to achieve desired outcomes for their young children, ages birth through four years, with developmental delays.
- What is the Difference Between an IFSP and an IEP? There are some significant differences between an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) and an Individualized Education Program (IEP).