Developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) is the natural way that children learn when provided with an environment that encourages exploration and creativity. One of the most highly effective developmentally appropriate practices in early childhood care and education today is play. Allowing an unhurried time to enjoy the engagement of playing with others grants children the opportunity to use their imagination in a way that accommodates learning experiences with willingness and an open mind. Children feel a sense of belonging and importance when they are a part of something, which is why responsive caregiving also goes hand in hand with these practices. The more you interact with children the less likely they are to become socially incompetent.
