"The teacher understands how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences."
This standard requires teachers to recognize the patterns of child development. Teachers must realize that each student develops cognitively, socially, linguistically, emotionally, and physically at their own rate. Teachers must therefore provide students with learning experiences that both match these students’ developmental levels and are challenging. In order to meet this standard, teachers must know each of their students well, as this knowledge is necessary in understanding their students’ developmental level. With this knowledge, teachers can then instruct students in ways that are appropriate for their level of development. In order to know their students well, teachers must frequently assess t students, using the information gained from these assessments to modify instruction to best meet each students’ needs.