What is Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Education?

“A child’s play is a child’s work."

I have often looked at ‘early tools’ in museums done by skillful cave dwellers. Today we still have difficulty replicating them.

In the Montessori, play is viewed a bit differently, but there is a history behind it-I am not so quick to judge methods to learning for children because we all learn in so many different ways in early childhood settings. I know I learned many thing in unconventional ways, and many things I never learned in school.
I am often concerned when I see children made to ‘big kid work’ before they are ready or even interested. Early Childhood theorists have stated there are no tools out there today that will make any child smarter despite their claims, yet those marketing tactics are still out there. The fact still remains that the natural way children learn is through their work/play. In early childhood education this means bonding with the child, allowing the child to take healthy risks, enjoy meaningful activities, gain confidence in their skills/abilities and setting the child up for success in social situations.
Children recognize when they do something well. They appreciate when others notice it as well.
As a little girl I received lots of encouragement for certain skills and intelligences I had and I pursued them. It proved to be quite lucrative for me in the long run.
I have always seen compliments and encouragement as verbal hugs…
What kind of verbal hugs do you get or give?