How to Create Developmentally Appropriate Lesson Plans for Child Care - post

What does " #developmentally-appropriate" really mean?

Think of a ladder. A two-year-old is on one step, and a five-year-old is a few steps higher. You wouldn't ask a two-year-old to climb to the top of the ladder right away. Developmental appropriateness is the same thing. It is about meeting children where they are.

There are three main things to think about:

• Age Appropriateness: What can most children this age do? (For example, most #toddlers can't use scissors yet, but they can tear paper).
• Individual Appropriateness: What does this specific child like? What are they good at?
• Social and Cultural Appropriateness: Does this activity respect the child's home life and community?

If you want to #learn more about these three pillars, the course DAP for Preschool is a perfect guide to help you understand the basics.

Why do you need a written lesson plan?

Some providers think they can just "wing it" every day. While being flexible is good, having a plan is like having a map for a road trip. Without a map, you might get lost or forget to visit the best spots.

A good lesson plan helps you:

1. Be Prepared: You will have all your glue, paper, and #books ready before the children arrive.
2. Stay Balanced: You can make sure you have quiet time and loud time, indoor time and #outdoor time.
3. Show Professionalism: Parents and directors can see that you are a teacher who cares about learning.

How do you start writing a lesson plan?

The best way to start is by watching the children. This is called "observation." What are they playing with the most? Are they interested in bugs? Are they trying to build tall towers?

When you follow their interests, they will be more excited to learn. This is a big part of #LessonPlanning for success. Once you know what they like, you can set a goal. A goal is just what you want them to learn.

• Goal example: "I want the children to practice using their small hand muscles."
• Activity example: Squeezing sponges in the water table.

To help you get organized, you can use our Weekly Lesson Plan Template from the #free resources page. It gives you a clear space to write down your ideas for the whole week.

What are the main parts of a great lesson plan?

A lesson plan does not need to be a long book. It just needs a few clear sections:

• The Theme: A main idea for the week, like "Community Helpers" or "The Five Senses."
• Learning Goals: What skills are we working on? (Math, talking, sharing, or moving).
• Materials Needed: A list of things to gather.
• The Activity: A short description of what the children will do.
• Questions to Ask: A few "open-ended" questions to help them think (like, "What happens if we add more water?").

By keeping your plans simple, you can focus more on the children and less on the paperwork. For more tips on setting up your #classroom folders and schedules, check out the course Meaningful Lesson Planning for Infants/Toddlers

How do you plan for different ages?

If you have a "mixed-age" group, you have to be extra creative. You can do the same activity but change it slightly for each child.

• For Infants: Focus on senses. Let them touch a smooth apple and a bumpy orange.
• For Toddlers: Focus on movement. Let them try to roll the apple across the floor.
• For Preschoolers: Focus on logic. Ask them to guess if the apple will sink or float in water.

This way, everyone is included, but no one is bored or frustrated. Understanding these differences is key to high-quality #ChildCare.

How do you include a child’s #culture in your plans?

Children learn best when they see themselves reflected in your classroom. This means your #lesson-plans should include:

• Books with different types of families and #languages.
• Music from different parts of the world.
• Play food in the kitchen area that looks like what they eat at home.

When a child sees their culture in your plan, they feel #safe and valued. This makes their brain more open to learning new things.

How do you know if your plan worked?

At the end of the day, take five minutes to think about how it went. This is called "reflection."

• Did the children enjoy the activity?
• Was it too hard or too easy?
• What should we do differently tomorrow?

If the children ignored your activity and played with the cardboard box instead, don't worry! That is a lesson too. Maybe tomorrow’s plan should be about building with boxes.

For a deeper look at how to judge if your teaching is working, read our article What is Developmentally Appropriate Practice?. It explains how to stay on track with the best teaching methods.

Final tips for easy planning

Creating lesson plans should be fun, not #stressful. Remember that you are a co-learner with the children. You don't have to have all the answers. Sometimes the best "lesson" is just sitting on the floor and following a child’s lead.

• Keep a notebook: Jot down funny things children say or do. These are great ideas for next week's plan!
• Keep it flexible: If it starts snowing, put away the #math worksheet and go catch snowflakes. That is science!
• Keep it simple: You don't need fancy toys. Bubbles, dirt, and blocks are the best teachers.

By planning with the child’s age and heart in mind, you create a classroom where everyone thrives. You are building the foundation for a lifetime of learning!

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