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Professional Standards & Competencies Resource Library
The Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators outline the essential knowledge, skills, and practices that are foundational to high-quality early childhood education. These standards define what early childhood educators should know and be able to do in order to support the learning and development of young children from birth through age 8. They serve as a guiding framework for professional development, practice, and evaluation within the field of early childhood education.
Understanding and implementing these standards is crucial for educators as they help ensure the delivery of equitable, inclusive, and high-quality education that promotes the well-being and success of all children. By adhering to these standards, educators also contribute to the profession's commitment to continuous improvement and accountability.
Please note that while the collection of resources has been organized and tagged according to the Professional Standards and Competencies, only the most applicable competencies have been prioritized for searching and tagging purposes.
For NAEYC resources in the library, you can find policies related to reproducing, distributing, or otherwise using content here. For all other resources, please follow appropriate practices for using/citing sources.
Directions for Using the Professional Standards and Competencies Resource Library
Check out the resource library tutorial here!
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The PS&Cs Resource Library allows you to peruse ALL of the many resources available (by default) or you can utilize the provided filter and narrow down your search to target specific resources.
Check out the resource library tutorial for more info.
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By using the filtering categories, you are able to narrow your search to particular professional standards, one or more of the 22 key competencies, various ECE topics, a variety of age ranges, specific types of resources such as articles or videos or even find resources available in languages other than English.
The robust filters even allow you to choose multiple choices across categories or within the same category to further narrow your search!
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Once you have opened the various filter categories provided in the filter tool, you will notice that “all” is highlighted and checked in each category by default. This means the filter tool will not filter out any of those options within that category. If you wish to narrow your search, you simply click on one or more of the other options within the various filtering categories. Clicking will check that option. Checked options will be utilized for your search!
To remove an option, simply click it again to remove the check from the checkbox.
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The search feature is similar to any other search engine on a website. It can be used for a specific key word or phrase. Although the search may be helpful and is provided, the more robust filter tool may ultimately be more helpful in focusing and narrowing your search for resources.
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Naturally, broken links will occur. Sometimes the resource has been moved to a new web address and other times it has been temporarily or permanently removed. We welcome you to report any broken links you find here. We will do our best to replace the link when possible or remove the resource if it is no longer available.
**As of Feb. 2025, certain webpages and resources, particularly from agencies/organizations/projects that receive federal funds, have been at least temporarily removed in order to comply with federal mandates related to the Trump Administration’s Executive Orders. We will continue to monitor these resource links and update them if and when new links are available.
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Sort quickly through the hundreds of available resources by using the filter tool on the left to populate the specific resources you need!
A Guide to Developmental Environments
A Guide to Developmental Environments
Learn how the conditions in places where children live, grow, play, and learn shape their developing brains and other biological systems, with lifelong implications. This is a set of resources, including working papers, infographics, and policy briefs, all which shed light on this topic.
Organization/Author: Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University
Type of Resource: Toolkit
Publication Date: Various
Visual Supports
This high-quality collection of visuals and supports can be printed and used immediately to support young children's development and learning. Each visual support includes a guide that explains what the support is, why it might be used, and how to increase the participation, engagement, and learning of children in your learning environment.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Type of Resource: Toolkit
Publication Date: Unknown
Video Series: Why Inclusion
A set of three animated videos that describe high quality inclusion:
Part 1: Let’s Change Attitudes and Beliefs
Part 2: Key Characteristics of High Quality Inclusive Education
Part 3: Social Outcomes in Inclusion
Organization/Author: STEMIE: Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education
Type of Resource: Toolkit
Publication Date: 2021
A Guide to Teaching Practices
Teaching strategies are practices used by adults (e.g., family members, practitioners) or, in some instances, by other children to help facilitate children’s participation in everyday routines, learning experiences, and activities. Using these strategies engages children in activities, maintains their interest, and provides opportunities for them to learn concepts and thinking skills that support STEM learning when using adaptations (see STEMIE’s A Guide to Adaptations resource for more information) is not a sufficient support.
Organization/Author: STEMIE: Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education
Type of Resource: Toolkit
Publication Date: 2023
A Guide to Asking Open-Ended Questions
A Guide to Asking Open-Ended Questions
Interacting with children in sensitive and responsive ways is foundational to fostering all children’s learning (DEC, 2014). Using open-ended questions can be a powerful way to foster positive interactions between you and your child.
Organization/Author: STEMIE: Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education
Type of Resource: Toolkit
Publication Date: 2023
A Guide to Adaptations
The inclusion framework is informed by evidence-based inclusive practices (e.g., Campbell & Milbourne, 2007; DEC, 2014) and focuses on the supports adults can implement to facilitate STEM learning for children with disabilities.
Within the hierarchy, adaptations to the environment and materials are aligned to the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) Recommended Practices on environment while instructional adaptations are aligned to the Recommended Practices on instruction.
1. Environment (e.g., room set-up, equipment, how an activity is done, length of time)
2. Materials (e.g., adaptations to toys, materials, assistive technology devices)
3. Instruction (e.g., add information, reduce steps)
Organization/Author: STEMIE: Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education
Type of Resource: Toolkit
Publication Date: 2023
A Guide to Book Adaptations
Find examples of adaptations based on functional needs/skills that can be used before or during dialogic reading and other shared book reading experiences. The related blog post includes additional information such as an introduction to dialogic reading including a tip sheet, and a video demonstration of dialogic reading using an augmentative communication device.
Organization/Author: STEMIE: Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education
Type of Resource: Toolkit
Publication Date: 2023
MicroLesson: Learning Trajectories
MicroLesson: Learning Trajectories
This microlesson provides a quick overview of research-based learning trajectories and each of the components.
Organization/Author: STEMIE: Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education
Type of Resource: Toolkit
Publication Date: 2020
ECTA Practice Improvement Tools: Instruction
ECTA Practice Improvement Tools: Instruction
Instructional practices are a cornerstone of early intervention and early childhood special education. Teachers, other practitioners, family members, and other caregivers use instructional practices to maximize learning and improve developmental and functional outcomes for young children who have or are at risk for developmental delays/disabilities.This set includes instruction checklists, instruction guides for practitioners, and instruction practice guides for families.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA)
Type of Resource: Toolkits
Publication Date: various
ECTA Practice Improvement Tools: Interaction
ECTA Practice Improvement Tools: Interaction
Sensitive and responsive interactional practices are the foundation for promoting the development of a child's language and cognitive and emotional competence. These interactional practices are the basis for fostering all children's learning. For children who have or are at risk for developmental delays/disabilities, they represent a critical set of strategies for fostering children's social-emotional competence, communication, cognitive development, problem-solving, autonomy, and persistence. This set includes interaction checklists, interaction guides for practitioners, and interaction practice guides for families.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA)
Type of Resource: Toolkits
Publication Date: various
Building Bipartisan Support for Child Care Toolkit: 2023 Update
Building Bipartisan Support for Child Care Toolkit: 2023 Update | Bipartisan Policy Center
A toolkit designed to help all, despite political leanings, understand the child care landscape, establish new relationships, and build bipartisan solutions for the profession.
Organization/Author: Bipartisan Policy Center
Type of Resource: Toolkit
Publication Date: 2023
Self-Care for Teachers
When children engage in behavior that pushes your buttons, it is important to be intentional in how you respond. This resource provides strategies that you might use when a child’s behavior pushes your buttons to help you respond in a way that is supportive of the child.
Organization/Author: National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations
Type of Resource: Toolkit
Publication Date: Unknown
Self-Care for Early Care and Education Professionals
Self-Care for Early Care and Education Professionals
Tip sheet with practical self-care strategies for early care and education professionals.
Organization/Author: Center for Inclusive Child Care
Type of Resource: Toolkit
Publication Date: Unknown
Tips to Advocate for Child Care
Tips to Advocate for Child Care
An overview of advocacy tips, such as finding your legislator and sharing your child care story.
Organization/Author: ChildCare Aware
Type of Resource: Toolkit
Publication Date: Unknown
Special Considerations: Developmental Screening of Children Ages Birth to 5 Who Are Dual Language Learners (DLLs)
Special Considerations: Developmental Screening of Children Ages Birth to 5 Who Are Dual Language Learners (DLLs)
This guide reviews current understandings of the development and importance of screening in supporting DLLs. It includes tools that can help Head Start and Early Head Start program leaders make informed and intentional decisions about selecting valid screening instruments and implementing high-quality screening practices for young DLLs. This is helpful when valid screening tools are not available in the languages of the children being served. While the emphasis in this publication is Head Start and Early Head Start, the content has broader applicability and relevance.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Type of Resource: Toolkit
Publication Date: 2019
Screening DLLs in Early Head Start and Head Start: A Guide for Program Leaders (0-5)
Screening DLLs in Early Head Start and Head Start: A Guide for Program Leaders (0-5)
This guide reviews current understandings of the development and importance of screening in supporting DLLs. It includes tools that can help Head Start and Early Head Start program leaders make informed and intentional decisions about selecting valid screening instruments and implementing high-quality screening practices for young DLLs. While the emphasis in this publication is Head Start and Early Head Start, the content has broader applicability and relevance.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Type of Resource: Toolkit
Publication Date: 2024
ECTA Practice Improvement Tools: Assessment
ECTA Practice Improvement Tools: Assessment
This is a set of tools that includes family checklists, family practice guides for practitioners, and family practice guides for families. They are aligned with DEC Recommended Practices.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA)
Type of Resource: Toolkits
Publication Date: 2018
Family Engagement and Ongoing Child Assessment
Family Engagement and Ongoing Child Assessment
This guide may be used to explore strategies for sharing child assessment information with families and early childhood programs. It can help to find ways for programs to partner with families to support children's learning and to enhance relationships between staff and families.
Organization/Author: ECLKC
Type of Resource: Toolkit
Publication Date: 2011
Learning from Assessment (LFA) Toolkit (0-5)
Learning from Assessment (LFA) Toolkit (0-5)
The LFA Toolkit is an online collection of presentations, handouts, guided practice exercises, and resources designed to support program staff in conducting and interpreting child assessments. The materials can be used selectively to design professional development that will meet programs' particular needs.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Type of Resource: Toolkits
Publication Date: 2022
ECTA: Screening Resources
This is a collection of screening resources that relate to federal requirements, state guidance, and general resources about screening.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA)
Type of Resource: Toolkits
Publication Date: Unknown
Additional Resources
