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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
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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.
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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.
Start Your Search--Resource Library
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Start Your Search--Resource Library *
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
The New Ecology of Early Childhood: Revisiting Bronfenbrenner’s Theory in the Context of Contemporary Challenges and Opportunities
The New Ecology of Early Childhood: Revisiting Bronfenbrenner’s Theory in the Context of Contemporary Challenges and Opportunities
This working paper from the Stanford Center on Early Childhood revisits Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory in light of present day conditions and challenges.
Organization/Author: Philip A. Fisher, PhD & Joan Lombardi, PhD, Stanford Center on Early Childhood, Stanford University
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2025
Building Executive Function Skills Through Games: The Power of Playful Learning
Building Executive Function Skills Through Games: The Power of Playful Learning
This article discusses the importance of executive function to children’s learning and development, exploring the connection between EF and playful learning through games.
Organization/Author: Cynthia A. Wiltshire and Molly Scott, Young Children, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2024
Executive Function: Essential Classroom Skills EdWeb Webinar
Executive Function: Essential Classroom Skills EdWeb Webinar
In this edWebinar, Dr. Andrei Semenov and Renae Ouillette talk about the development of executive function skills and how these skills manifest themselves in the classroom as well as strategies teachers and parents can take to improve a child’s proficiency at these skills. Note: Registration is required to view webinar.
Organization/Author: Dr. Andrei Semenov and Renae Ouillette, edWeb Webinar
Type of Resource: Webinar
Publication Date: 2022
Social-Emotional and Executive Functioning Solutions for the Early Childhood Program Webinar
Social-Emotional and Executive Functioning Solutions for the Early Childhood Program Webinar
In this edWebinar, experts cover the theory and significance of social-emotional learning and executive functioning skills development as they relate to early childhood learning programs and highlight the current needs of early childhood programs as related to these areas. Note: registration is required to view webinar.
Organization/Author: Kylie Rymanowicz, edWeb Webinar
Type of Resource: Webinar
Publication Date: 2023
Individualizing
Learn about individualizing to support individual learning outcomes and goals for children with disabilities. Materials include Adapting the Curriculum: Supervisors Tool, a guide for observations in the classroom; the Classroom Quality Indicators Checklist—a checklist to help supervisors determine that foundational elements of a quality classroom are in place; and Supervisor’s Guide: More About the Quality Indicators.
You’ll find practical strategies for educators and other caregivers in the Classroom Quality Indicators Checklist; Individualizing Within a Group Activity; and the Planned Instruction Form—to use when planning for an individual child in your program. The Arts & Crafts signs can be posted throughout the learning spaces to give staff ideas about what to work on while engaging with children.
Organization/Author: Head Start Center for Inclusion
Type of Resource: Training
Publication Date: Unknown
Inclusion Basics: Membership
Embedded Learning Opportunities for Infants and Toddlers
Foster belonging for young children with disabilities in inclusive early childhood settings, with support from this range of resources for educators and supervisors. Materials include a video presentation, presentation slides, video clips for asking a friend to play, print and go materials, and handouts.
Organization/Author: Head Start Center for Inclusion
Type of Resource: Training
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
Behavior Management Module
This module, a DEC-recommended resource, includes information on how to create developmentally appropriate behavior rules for early childhood classrooms so that they link to a given school's behavior expectations. The importance of communication with families about rules and expected behaviors is also stressed (est. completion time: 2 hours).
Organization/Author: Iris Center, Vanderbilt Peabody College
Type of Resource: Module
Publication Date: Unknown
Brain Building in Process: Resources for Early Learning Set of Professional Development Trainings for Birth-33 Months
These five engaging, content-rich, video-based trainings are organized by age. Take the online 45-minute self-paced version, or download the Facilitator’s Guide to lead family child-care and center- and school-based educators in a 1.5–2 hour training. Topics include:
The Roots of Early Learning
Supporting Young Infants’ Learning
Supporting Older Infants’ Learning
Supporting Young Toddlers’ Learning
Supporting Older Toddlers’ Learning
Organization/Author: Massachusetts Department of Early Education (EEC)
Type of Resource: Trainings
Publication Date: Unknown
Let’s Dig Deep: Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP)
Let’s Dig Deep: Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP)
This video collection includes four videos (under 5 minutes, each) created by the Devereux Center for Resilient Children. All videos explore developmentally appropriate practice.
Organization/Author: Devereux Center for Resilient Children
Type of Resource: Videos
Publication Date: 2022
Let’s Dig Deep: Culturally Responsive (4 part video series)
Let’s Dig Deep: Culturally Responsive (4 part video series)
This video collection includes four videos (under 5 minutes, each) created by the Devereux Center for Resilient Children. All videos explore culturally responsive practices.
Organization/Author: Devereux Center for Resilient Children
Type of Resource: Videos
Publication Date: 2023
OER Textbook: Implementing Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP) in the Preschool Environment
OER Textbook: Implementing Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP) in the Preschool Environment
Open Educational Resources (OER) are teaching and learning materials that you may freely use and reuse at no cost, and without needing to ask permission.
This OER textbook describes how to implement developmentally appropriate practices in an early childhood classroom. It includes information on implementing standards, building relationships, supporting diverse learners, and creating curriculum.
Organization/Author: Joan Hayden and Laura Hutton
Type of Resource: Book Chapter, Open Educational Resource (OER)
Publication Date: 2021
Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework
It all begins with an idea.
Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework
The Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five (ELOF) presents five broad areas of early learning, referred to as central domains. The framework is designed to show the continuum of learning for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. It is grounded in comprehensive research around what young children should know and be able to do during their early years.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Type of Resource: Toolkit
Publication Date: 2024
List of Early Learning Standards by State
It all begins with an idea.
List of Early Learning Standards by State
This is a list of the Early Learning Standards by State. Many of these, depending on how they are organized, include information on development in various domains and content areas, with suggested teaching strategies.
Organization/Author: Brightwheel
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2024
Cultural Perspectives on Child Development
It all begins with an idea.
Cultural Perspectives on Child Development
Real Families brings you stories of modern day family life from around the world through the eyes of children, parents, and parenting experts.
Organization/Author: Real Families
Type of Resource: Video
Publication Date: 2018
Individualism vs Collectivism: Why it Matters in the Classroom Video
It all begins with an idea.
Individualism vs Collectivism: Why it Matters in the Classroom Video
A video that explores individualism and collectivism, and why it matters in the classroom.
Organization/Author: Tolentino Teaching
Type of Resource: Video
Publication Date: unknown
Culture and Parenting Handout
It all begins with an idea.
This 10 page handout discusses parenting domains and the influence on culture.
Organization/Author: Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board
Type of Resource: Report
Publication Date: unknown
TED Talk: What do Babies Think
It all begins with an idea.
TED Talk: What do Babies Think
"Babies and young children are like the R&D division of the human species," says psychologist Alison Gopnik. Her research explores the sophisticated intelligence-gathering and decision-making that babies are really doing when they play.
Organization/Author: Alison Gopnik, TED Talk
Type of Resource: Video
Publication Date: 2011
TEDTalk: What we learn before we're born
It all begins with an idea.
TEDTalk: What we learn before we're born
When does learning begin? Answer: Before we are born. In this 20 minute Ted Talk, science writer Annie Murphy Paul talks through new research that shows how much we learn in the womb -- from the lilt of our native language to our soon-to-be-favorite foods.
Organization/Author: Annie Murphy Paul, TED Talk
Type of Resource: Video
Publication Date: 2011
Additional Resources
