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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!
Brain Building in Process: Resources for Early Learning Set of Professional Development Trainings for 3-5 Years
Explore best practices in early education of children ages 3 to 5 years. These twelve engaging, content-rich, video-based trainings are organized by topic. Take the online 45-minute self-paced version, or download the Facilitator’s Guide to lead family child-care and center-based educators in a 1.5–2 hour training. Topics include:
Creating the Learning Environment
Engaging Children in Meaningful Conversation
Integrating Media and Technology into Curriculum
Engaging Children in Math
Providing Developmentally Appropriate Learning
Individualizing Instruction
Honoring Diversity
Getting Families Involved
Building a Community of Readers and Writers
Leading Children in Hands-on Exploration
Engaging Children in STEM
Having Fun with Phonemic Awareness
Organization/Author: Massachusetts Department of Early Education (EEC)
Type of Resource: Trainings
Publication Date: Unknown
NAEYC Resources about STEM
Explore this collection of articles and blog posts from NAEYC about STEM learning.
Organization/Author: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Type of Resource: Articles
Publication Date: Various
National Science Teaching Association: Position Statement-Early Childhood Science Education
National Science Teaching Association: Position Statement-Early Childhood Science Education
The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Position Statement on Early Childhood Science Education.
Organization/Author: National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
Type of Resource: Position Statement
Publication Date: 2013
Rocking and Rolling. Fresh Air, Fun, and Exploration: Why Outdoor Play Is Essential for Healthy Development
Rocking and Rolling, edited by Rebecca Parlakian and her colleagues from ZERO to THREE, focuses on supporting infants, toddlers, and their families. Each column offers instructional insights and suggestions that are grounded in research yet presented through real-life examples.
Organization/Author: Kathy Kinsner, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2019
Rocking and Rolling. Building New Skills: Block Construction in Toddler Settings
Rocking and Rolling. Building New Skills: Block Construction in Toddler Settings
Rocking and Rolling, edited by Rebecca Parlakian and her colleagues from ZERO to THREE, focuses on supporting infants, toddlers, and their families. Each column offers instructional insights and suggestions that are grounded in research yet presented through real-life examples.
Organization/Author: Rebecca Parlakian, Young Children, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2020
Rocking and Rolling. Fostering Curiosity in Infants and Toddlers
Rocking and Rolling. Fostering Curiosity in Infants and Toddlers
Rocking and Rolling, edited by Rebecca Parlakian and her colleagues from ZERO to THREE, focuses on supporting infants, toddlers, and their families. Each column offers instructional insights and suggestions that are grounded in research yet presented through real-life examples.
Organization/Author: Rebecca Parlakian, Young Children, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2020
Inclusion in STEM-STEM starts Now Documentary
Children with disabilities and from underserved communities are often denied STEM learning opportunities. In this 13-minute documentary, practitioners, families of children with disabilities, and people with disabilities discuss why STEM is important and how children with disabilities can engage and excel in it.
Organization/Author: STEMIE Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education
Type of Resource: Video
Publication Date: 2020
STEAM: 15-minute In-service Suite
STEAM: 15-minute In-service Suite
Explore strategies for engaging children’s natural curiosity about STEAM topics and skills in group learning settings, as well as in the home.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Type of Resource: Training
Publication Date: Unknown
Teacher Time Series: Preschool STEAM
Teacher Time Series: Preschool STEAM
In these episodes, explore how to support STEAM learning for preschoolers. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Find an overview of each STEM component and tips for using art to help children explore these concepts and skills. Learn about strategies and teaching practices to help preschoolers develop reasoning, creativity, problem-solving, and language and communication skills.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Type of Resource: Webinars
Publication Date: Unknown
Teacher Time Series: Infant/Toddler STEAM
Teacher Time Series: Infant/Toddler STEAM
View these episodes to explore ways to support STEAM learning for infants and toddlers. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, art, and math. In each episode, find an overview of the STEM components and tips for using art to help children explore concepts and skills. Discover strategies and teaching practices to help infants and toddlers develop reasoning, creativity, problem solving, and language and communication skills.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Type of Resource: Webinars
Publication Date: Unknown
Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) for Everyone
Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) for Everyone
Discover ways to support young children with identified disabilities or suspected delays as they acquire science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) skills. Examine effective teaching practices to help them access and explore STEAM materials and concepts. Learn practical strategies to plan the learning environment and embed individualized learning opportunities related to STEAM.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Type of Resource: Training
Publication Date: Unknown
Rocking and Rolling- Fostering Curiosity in Infants and Toddlers
Rocking and Rolling. Fostering Curiosity in Infants and Toddlers
Rocking and Rolling, edited by Rebecca Parlakian and her colleagues from ZERO to THREE, focuses on supporting infants, toddlers, and their families. Each column offers instructional insights and suggestions that are grounded in research yet presented through real-life examples.
Organization/Author: Rebecca Palakian, Young Children, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2020
Rocking and Rolling- Building New Skills: Block Construction in Toddler Settings
Rocking and Rolling. Building New Skills: Block Construction in Toddler Settings
Rocking and Rolling, edited by Rebecca Parlakian and her colleagues from ZERO to THREE, focuses on supporting infants, toddlers, and their families. Each column offers instructional insights and suggestions that are grounded in research yet presented through real-life examples.
Organization/Author: Rebecca Palakian, Young Children, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2020
Rocking and Rolling. Fresh Air, Fun, and Exploration: Why Outdoor Play Is Essential for Healthy Development
Rocking and Rolling, edited by Rebecca Parlakian and her colleagues from ZERO to THREE, focuses on supporting infants, toddlers, and their families. Each column offers instructional insights and suggestions that are grounded in research yet presented through real-life examples.
Organization/Author: Kathy Kinsner,Young Children, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2019
A Guide to Noticing STEM Learning
A Guide to Noticing STEM Learning
All children can develop the foundations for STEM learning from infancy. Young children are active learners who explore their environments and learn from doing, seeing, touching, and/or hearing. Through intentional and careful observation, caregivers can tap into children’s natural curiosity and provide opportunities for children to develop an understanding of the world around them.
Organization/Author: Campbell, P., Waters, V., Lim, C., & Sam, A.
STEMIE Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education
Type of Resource: Toolkit
Publication Date: 2023
A Guide to Child-Level Processes
A Guide to Child-Level Processes
In this document, we define and describe child-level processes in STEM learning for all young children, including children with disabilities. We provide definitions, examples, AND now learning progression steps for each child-level process.
Organization/Author: Victoria Waters, Christine Harradine, & Chih-Ing Lim
STEMIE Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education
Type of Resource: Toolkit
Publication Date: 2022
A Guide to Cross-Cutting Concepts
A Guide to Cross-Cutting Concepts
Cross-cutting concepts are a set of overarching big ideas that look and behave similarly across all STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) domain areas. In this document, we define and describe cross-cutting concepts in STEM learning for all young children, including children with disabilities. We provide definitions and examples. Learning progression steps for each cross-cutting concept have been added as well.
Organization/Author: Ann Sam, Victoria Waters, Chih-Ing Lim,
STEMIE Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education
Type of Resource: Toolkit
Publication Date: 2021
A Guide to Everyday STEM Talk
Transform everyday routines and activities into playful STEM and brain building opportunities with your young child! Take a moment to expand and extend daily routines and activities by adding STEM concepts and vocabulary, whether it's by posing a question, narrating your observations, modeling curiosity, or posing a problem to solve together.
Organization/Author: STEMIE Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education
Type of Resource: Toolkit
Publication Date: 2024
OER Textbook: Introduction to Curriculum for Early Childhood Education
OER Textbook: Introduction to Curriculum for Early Childhood Education
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 develop curriculum for infants and toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children. Multiple content areas are addressed.
Click here to learn more about the OER Collection from College of the Canyons.
Organization/Author: Kristin Beeve and Jennifer Paris, College of the Canyons OER Collection
Type of Resource: Book Chapter, Open Educational Resource (OER)
Publication Date: 2020
Science with Young Children Video Collection
Science with Young Children Video Collection
The videos and resources illustrate strategies and ideas for supporting young children's developing interest in and understanding of science.
Organization/Author: Center for Early Childhood Education at Eastern Connecticut University
Type of Resource: Video Collection with Reflection Questions
Publication Date: unknown
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