Backlash Against Developmentally Appropriate Practice

04/26/2023

Backlash Against Developmentally Appropriate Practice

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On Friday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey forced Secretary of Early Childhood Education Dr. Barbara Cooper to resign over the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)’s book Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP), 4th edition. According to the Alabama Reflector, "the Governor’s office said they received a complaint about the book teaching white privilege, structural racism and messaging promoting 'equality, dignity and worth' around LGBTQIA+ identities."

NAEYC responded with a statement including,

"DAP reinforces the power of relationships and underscores that every child has the right to equitable learning opportunities – in centers, family child care homes, or schools – that fully support their optimal development and learning across all domains and content areas."

They have also issued a call for signatures from individuals and organizations that support their statement.

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