ABSTRACT
High-quality early childhood education is reflected in both research and practice as nurturing, consistent, stimulating, hands-on, exploratory, and holistic learning experiences and interactions with caring adults and peers. One of the greatest challenges for early childhood professionals is documenting the long-term impact of early learning experiences. DAP is the basis for National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation processes and for school-based early childhood education programs. DAP is the basis for NAEYC accreditation processes and for school-based early childhood education programs. The three dimensions of DAP are age-appropriate, individually appropriate, and culturally appropriate. The research clearly documents the positive outcomes of early childhood education, and these outcomes represent both cognitive and social dimensions. Qualitative research is needed that further explains the relationship between high-quality early childhood education programs, the families that are a part of these child populations, and outcome measures not just for the child but for the family as a system.
