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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!
Dual Language Learners with Disabilities Module
Dual Language Learners with Disabilities Module
This module offers an overview of young children who are dual language learners. Further, it highlights the importance of maintaining children and families’ home language at the same time they are learning a new or second language, discusses considerations for screening and assessing these children, and identifies strategies for supporting them in inclusive preschool classrooms (est. completion time: 1.5 hours).
Organization/Author: Iris Center, Vanderbilt Peabody College
Type of Resource: Module
Publication Date: Unknown
Early Care and Education Environment Indicators and Elements of High-Quality Inclusion
Early Care and Education Environment Indicators and Elements of High-Quality Inclusion
There are 4 sets of Indicators of High Quality Inclusion (state, community, local program, and environments levels). This is the set for early care and education environments.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA)
Type of Resource: Report
Publication Date: 2023
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
Understanding and Choosing Assessments and Developmental Screeners for Young Children Ages 3-5: Profiles of Selected Measures
Understanding and Choosing Assessments and Developmental Screeners for Young Children Ages 3-5: Profiles of Selected Measures
This document, originally designed for Head Start readers, offers valuable information for anyone who is selecting screening and assessment instruments. It reviews reliability and validity information for specific tools and describes how to evaluate and select tools for specific populations or purposes (for example dual language learners).
Organization/Author: Tamara Halle, Martha Zaslow, Julia Wessel, Shannon Moodie, and Kristen Darling-Churchill, Child Trends
Type of Resource: Report
Publication Date: 2011
Bilingualism and Assessment in Early Childhood Special Education
Bilingualism and Assessment in Early Childhood Special Education
In this vlog, Greg Cheatham (University of Kansas) discusses bilingualism and assessment and offers tips on working with families who have home languages other than English.
Organization/Author: Military Families Learning Network Family Development Early Intervention Team
Type of Resource: Video
Publication Date: 2017
Perspectives on Assessment of DLLs Development & Learning, Prek-Third Grade
Perspectives on Assessment of DLLs Development & Learning, Prek-Third Grade
The chronic academic underachievement of the DLL population across the nation, and their lower school readiness scores in mathematics and literacy at kindergarten entry clearly reveal the need for more effective assessment approaches that are linked to improved instruction for young DLLs. Linda Espinosa’s 2016 paper is organized around the following questions: 1) What are the important linguistic, cultural, and background factors to consider in the assessment of young DLLs? 2) What are the most appropriate methods for assessing young DLLs for certain purposes (e.g., instructional improvement and developmental screening)? 3) What technical considerations are required for testing DLLs? 4) What do teachers need to know about the valid assessment of young DLLs?
Organization/Author: Linda M Espinosa, Ph.D.
Type of Resource: Report
Publication Date: 2016
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
Learning Stories: Observation, Reflection, and Narrative in Early Childhood Education
Learning Stories: Observation, Reflection, and Narrative in Early Childhood Education
This article examines the use of an observational approach in the form of Learning Stories, a narrative-based formative assessment created by New Zealand early childhood education leaders. By encouraging teachers to recognize children as competent explorers and learners at any given moment, Learning Stories provide a way to document children’s strengths and improve instruction based on the interests, talents, and expertise of children and their families (Carr & Lee 2012, 2019).
Organization/Author: Isauro M. Escamilla, Young Children, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2021
Dual Language Learners: Screening and Assessing Young Children
Dual Language Learners: Screening and Assessing Young Children
This 30-minute activity features a video and discussion questions that align with DEC Recommended Practices for Assessment.
Organization/Author: Iris Center
Type of Resource: Toolkit
Publication Date: Unknown
Engaging Families of Multilingual Learners: Using Families’ Stories to Link Classroom Content with Children’s Funds of Knowledge
In this article, a teacher and research professor partener to investigate ways to increase family engagement and reflect their funds of knowledge in a preschool classroom. This article touches on uses technology as a family engagement strategy.
Organization/Author: Alexandra Figueras-Daniel and Bernice Vasquez, Young Children, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2024
Working with Families Video Collection
Working with Families Video Collection
Families are children’s first and most important teachers. This video collection includes the following videos:
Learning about a child’s family culture
Building Positive Relationships with Families
Involving Families
Supporting Children’s Individual Needs
Family Reading Time
Supporting English Language Learners in the Preschool Classroom
Organization/Author: Center for Early Childhood Education at Eastern Connecticut University
Type of Resource: Video Collection with Reflection Questions
Publication Date: Unknown
Building Partnership Series: Partnering with Families of Children who are Dual Language Learners
Building Partnership Series: Partnering with Families of Children who are Dual Language Learners
Explore this resource for scenarios and information to help you partner with families of children who are dual language learners.
Organization/Author: National Center on Parent, Family, and Community Engagement
Type of Resource: Report
Publication Date: Unknown
Practitioner Family-Centered Practices for Working With Families
Practitioner Family-Centered Practices for Working With Families
Several brief vignettes with Early Interventionists, families, children interacting in the home setting as examples of family-centered practices.
Organization/Author: Puckett Institute
Type of Resource: Videos
Publication Date: 2017
Early Childhood Assessment: Why, What, and How
Early Childhood Assessment: Why, What, and How
This downloadable book identifies the important outcomes for children from birth to age 5 and the quality and purposes of different techniques and instruments for developmental assessments. Individual chapters address screening, measuring quality in early childhood environments, and assessing all children, which includes those who are dual language learners.
Organization/Author: National Research Council; Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education; Board on Children, Youth, and Families; Board on Testing and Assessment; Committee on Developmental Outcomes and Assessments for Young Children; Catherine E. Snow and Susan B. Van Hemel, Editors
Type of Resource: ebook
Publication Date: 2008
Cultural Perspectives in Caregiving: Applying Relationship-Based Practices
It all begins with an idea.
Cultural Perspectives in Caregiving: Applying Relationship-Based Practices
(National Center on Parent, Family, and Community Engagement)
A set of three short vignettes and related reflection questions for staff, managers, and program leaders. Each scenario describes situations similar to those that arise during day-to-day interactions in Head Start and Early Head Start settings. The scenarios demonstrate the use of relationship-based practices in interactions with families.
Organization/Author: National Center on Parent, Family, and Community Engagement
Type of Resource: Scenarios
Publication Date: unknown
OER Textbook: The Role of Equity and Diversity in Early Childhood Education
OER Textbook: The Role of Equity and Diversity in 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 covers a broad range of topics related to equity, diversity, and justice in the field of early childhood education.
Click here to learn more about the OER Collection from College of the Canyons.
Organization/Author: Krischa Esquivel, Emily Elam, Jennifer Paris, and Maricela Tafoya, College of the Canyons OER Collection
Type of Resource: Book, Open Educational Resource (OER)
Publication Date: 2020
Supporting Individual Needs Video Collection
Supporting Individual Needs Video Collection
The videos and resources provide ideas and guidance on how to differentiate for student's unique needs and support their learning and development in the early childhood classroom.
Organization/Author: Center for Early Childhood Education at Eastern Connecticut University
Type of Resource: Video Collection with Reflection Questions
Publication Date: unknown
Supporting Language and Literacy Video Collection
Supporting Language and Literacy Video Collection
The videos and resources below illustrate these and other strategies and ideas for supporting young children's language development and early literacy skills.
Organization/Author: Center for Early Childhood Education at Eastern Connecticut University
Type of Resource: Video Collection with Reflection Questions
Publication Date: unknown
Bilingual Language Development
Bilingual Language Development
Learn about how children develop two or more languages and the benefits of being bilingual.
Organization/Author: University of Washington: Institute for Learning and Brain Science
Type of Resource: Module
Publication Date: unknown
The Brain Science of Bilingualism
The Brain Science of Bilingualism
Studies show that the infant brain is adept at learning two languages and that infancy and early childhood represent the best possible time to do so. This article explains why babies are so good at language learning.
Organization/Author: Naja Ferjan Ramirez and Patricia Kuhl, Young Children, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2017
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