The phrase “developmentally appropriate practice” means that the teaching strategies used and classroom activities planned for young children match their developmental needs and characteristics.  Planning means focusing on all developmental domains including, cognitive,  physical (gross and fine motor), communication, social-emotional and adaptive.

Cognitive Skills evolving mental and intellectual ability

Motor Skills Gross (move and get around environment) and Fine (ability to use small muscle groups; for example, hands)

Communication Skills (exchange of messages); Language(use of symbols, syntax, and grammar), Speech(oral-motor), Receptive (understand and comprehend verbal and nonverbal information) and Expressive Language (communicate thoughts or feels)

Social Skills behaviors associated with the development of social relationships

Emotional Skills ability to identify and communicate feelings, and act on their emotions

Adaptive Skills  self-care skills

Gargiulo, R. M., & Kilgo, J. L. (2014). An introduction to young children with special needs: birth through age eight. Belmont, CA: Cengage.