Children follow the same development pattern (e.g., they learn to crawl before they learn to walk), but they have different growth rates (e.g., one may talk at age two, another at age three). In DoDEA, your child is viewed as an individual with their uniquely-timed growth pattern. The early learning programs in DoDEA integrate the curriculum lessons with adult and peer interactions to align with the developmental level of each child. All programs and services exhibit a safe and nurturing environment that encourages a child's physical, social, emotional, intellectual, and language development. The learning experiences are meaningful and relevant, helping children to make connections between what is being taught and their own life and experiences. Thus, when you come into a DoDEA early childhood classroom, you'll see teachers using familiar objects and conducting activities similar to those you do at home. Making a connection between school experiences and home helps a child accept the challenges of new learning.

An essential part of early development depends upon a child's opportunity to be involved with his/her environment. Children are encouraged to explore, investigate, and respond to a variety of materials provided in their classrooms and in their home environment. DoDEA's Sure Start Program, prekindergarten (Pre-K) program and Preschool Services for Children with Disabilities are based on a hands-on, interactive, interest-based approach. The DoDEA standards are embedded in the experiences and activities of prekindergarten classroom interest areas such as Computers, Dramatic Play, Toys and Games, Sand and Water, Library, Outdoors, Music and Movement, Cooking, Discovery, Art and Blocks.

Developmentally appropriate Preschool classrooms encourage:

• growth of children's self-esteem;
• their cultural identities;
• their independence;
• individual strengths.

Young children come to school eager to learn and possess an innate curiosity. Preschool children will begin to develop control of their own behavior through the guidance and support of warm, caring adults. Teachers will provide young children what they need to grow socially, physically, emotionally, and intellectually through a center-based approach, which is exhibited in the following ways:

• Children have access to various activities and experiences throughout the day, such as block building, dramatic play, picture books, paints and other art materials, exploration with sand and water, music and movement, cooking and table toys such as legos, pegboards, and puzzles.
• Teachers work with individual children, small groups, and the whole group at different times during the day.
• Student work is displayed in the classroom (e.g. children's original artwork, their writing with inventive spelling, and dictated stories) to honor their individuality and foster a sense of accomplishment.
• Play is an important vehicle for developing self-regulation and promoting language, cognition, and social competence.
• Assessment in the classroom is ongoing, authentic and used for the purpose of planning, addressing individual children's needs and monitoring progress.
• A preschool child's physical, social-emotional, cognitive, and language development are advanced through the teaching of the DoDEA College and Career Ready Standards using a balance of teacher and child directed learning along with the adopted curriculum.

Individual early learning classrooms will vary, but all DoDEA early learning classrooms will have one thing in common: the focus will be on the development of the child as a whole.

DoDEA's Prekindergarten program enrolls all four year olds in the Americas and Guam locations.

DoDEA's Sure Start program enrolls eligible four years olds in Europe, the Pacific and Cuba locations.

DoDEA's Preschool Services for Children with Disabilities (PSCD) is provided in the Americas, Europe and the Pacific for children ages three to five years of age who demonstrate a significant difference in actual functioning when compared with the functioning of a nondisabled child of the same chronological age. Eligibility determination is required under special education requirements.

DoDEA does not offer programs for three year olds, outside of Preschool Special Education. For typically developing children, DoDEA Preschool programs begin at age four.