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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

  • 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.

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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!

Standard 4, Resource Type: Article, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies Kadisha Conteh Standard 4, Resource Type: Article, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies Kadisha Conteh

10 Effective DAP Teaching Strategies

10 Effective DAP Teaching Strategies
An infographic from NAEYC that gives ten effective strategies to individualize instruction.

Organization/Author: NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article

Publication Date: Unknown

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Standard 4, Resource Type: Webinar, Topic: Play, Standard 1, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies, Topic: Executive Function Skills Kadisha Conteh Standard 4, Resource Type: Webinar, Topic: Play, Standard 1, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies, Topic: Executive Function Skills Kadisha Conteh

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

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Standard 4, Resource Type: Webinar, Topic: Play, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies, Topic: Executive Function Skills Kadisha Conteh Standard 4, Resource Type: Webinar, Topic: Play, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies, Topic: Executive Function Skills Kadisha Conteh

Simple and Effective Strategies to Support Executive Function Skills in Young Children Webinar

Simple and Effective Strategies to Support Executive Function Skills in Young Children Webinar
During this edWebinar, viewers not only learn what executive function is, they also learn strategies and activities they can start using right away to help all children develop strong executive function skills that they can rely on throughout the day. Note: Registration is required to view webinar.

Organization/Author: Julie Tourigny, edWeb Webinar
Type of Resource: Webinar

Publication Date: 2024

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Standard 4, Resource Type: Webinar, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Topic: Play, Topic: Executive Function Skills, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies Kadisha Conteh Standard 4, Resource Type: Webinar, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Topic: Play, Topic: Executive Function Skills, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies Kadisha Conteh

Executive Function and Challenging Behavior: A New Approach, by Ellen Galinsky Webinar

Routines-Based Planning for Infants and Toddlers
In this paradigm-shifting (recorded) webinar by child development experts, researchers, and author, Ellen Galinsky, you will learn the research implications and strategies that work to help children manage their own behavior through improved executive function. Note: Registration is required to view webinar

Organization/Author: Ellen Galinsky, Early Childhood Investigations 
Type of Resource: Webinar

Publication Date: 2020

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Standard 4, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies, Topic: Play, Resource Type: Webinar Kadisha Conteh Standard 4, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies, Topic: Play, Resource Type: Webinar Kadisha Conteh

Play-responsiveness as a Teaching Practice: Using The Original Learning Approach Webinar

Play-responsiveness as a Teaching Practice: Using The Original Learning Approach Webinar
In this recorded webinar, early childhood care and education expert Suzanne Axelsson explores how weaving wonder, curiosity, joy, knowledge, imagination, interaction, risk, time, reflection, and listening can bring teaching closer to a state of play.

Note: registration is required to view webinar

Organization/Author: Suzanne Axelsson, Ph.D, Early Childhood Investigations  
Type of Resource: Webinar

Publication Date: 2023

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Standard 4, Resource Type: Webinar, Topic: Relationships and Interactions Kadisha Conteh Standard 4, Resource Type: Webinar, Topic: Relationships and Interactions Kadisha Conteh

Where Community Meets Curriculum: Equitable Strategies in the Classroom Webinar

Where Community Meets Curriculum: Equitable Strategies in the Classroom Webinar

This edWebinar explores the concept of revolutionary love and how teachers can use this knowledge to create a classroom community that affirms and celebrates all students’ identities, languages, and cultures. Viewers reflect on their perception of loving pedagogies and the necessity of integrating revolutionary love into teaching practices.

Organization/Author: Dr. Eliza Braden, and Dr. Sanjuana Rodriguez, edWeb Webinar
Type of Resource: Webinar

Publication Date: 2023

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Standard 2, Standard 4, Topic: Family Diversity, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Resource Type: Webinar Kadisha Conteh Standard 2, Standard 4, Topic: Family Diversity, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Resource Type: Webinar Kadisha Conteh

Culture and Children’s Challenging Behavior Webinar

Culture and Children’s Challenging Behavior Webinar

Social emotional development and learning expert Barbara Kaiser explores the dynamics of culture in shaping teachers’ expectations and children’s behavior.

Note: registration is required to view webinar

Organization/Author: Barbara Kaiser, Ph.D. Early Childhood Investigations 
Type of Resource: Webinar

Publication Date: 2022

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Standard 2, Standard 4, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Topic: Family Diversity, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies, Resource Type: Article Kadisha Conteh Standard 2, Standard 4, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Topic: Family Diversity, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies, Resource Type: Article Kadisha Conteh

Culturally Responsive Teaching in Early Childhood Education

Culturally Responsive Teaching in Early Childhood Education

This article explores four ways to validate and affirm young students’ cultures in meaningful ways, which can boost their engagement and motivation.

Organization/Author: Amanda Armstrong, Edutopia 
Type of Resource: Article

Publication Date: 2020

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Standard 4, Topic: Play, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Resource Type: Video Collection Kadisha Conteh Standard 4, Topic: Play, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Resource Type: Video Collection Kadisha Conteh

Alliance for Childhood: Video Collection

Alliance for Childhood: Video Collection

A collection of videos on play, including:

  • playground NYC

  • Pop Up Play and Loose Parts

  • Family Play, Family Well-Being

  • Prescription for Play

  • Playwork: An Introduction

  • Wetlands and Wonder

Organization/Author: Alliance for Childhood
Type of Resource: Video Collection

Publication Date: Unknown

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Standard 4, Topic: Play, Resource Type: Report, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice Kadisha Conteh Standard 4, Topic: Play, Resource Type: Report, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice Kadisha Conteh

Alliance for Childhood: Publications and Reports

Alliance for Childhood: Publications and Reports

This includes various reports about play and children’s health, play and risk, play and loose parts, playwork, recess, and technology.

Organization/Author: Alliance for Childhood
Type of Resource: Reports

Publication Date: Unknown

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Standard 4, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Play, Resource Type: Report Kadisha Conteh Standard 4, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Play, Resource Type: Report Kadisha Conteh

Alliance for Childhood: Fact Sheets on Play

Alliance for Childhood: Fact Sheets on Play

The following fact sheets are included:

  • Twelve Key Types of Play

  • Playwork and Play

  • Time for Play, Every Day

  • When Kindergarten Testing is Out of Hand

  • Crisis in the Kindergarten

  • Outdoor Play for Children

Organization/Author: Alliance for Childhood
Type of Resource: Reports

Publication Date: Unknown

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Standard 4, Resource Type: Modules, Topic: Universal Design for Learning Kadisha Conteh Standard 4, Resource Type: Modules, Topic: Universal Design for Learning Kadisha Conteh

Universal Design for Learning: Designing Learning Experiences That Engage and Challenge All Students

Universal Design for Learning: Designing Learning Experiences That Engage and Challenge All Students

This module examines the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework and discusses how educators can apply UDL to proactively design learning experiences that are flexible enough to challenge and engage all students and that promote learner agency (est. completion time: 2.5 hours).

Organization/Author: Iris Center, Vanderbilt Peabody College
Type of Resource: Module

Publication Date: Unknown

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Standard 4, Topic: Inclusion, Topic: Children with Disabilities/Delays, Topic: Early Childhood Special Education, Resource Type: Position Statement Kadisha Conteh Standard 4, Topic: Inclusion, Topic: Children with Disabilities/Delays, Topic: Early Childhood Special Education, Resource Type: Position Statement Kadisha Conteh

Early Childhood Inclusion: A Joint Position Statement of DEC and NAEYC

Early Childhood Inclusion: A Joint Position Statement of DEC and NAEYC

The position statement contains a definition of early childhood inclusion and provides recommendations for families and professionals for improving early childhood services and policies with regards to inclusion.

Organization/Author: NAEYC and DEC

Type of Resource: Position Statement

Publication Date: 2009

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Standard 2, Standard 3, Standard 4, Topic: Assessment Methods and Tools, Topic: Assessment Partnerships, Topic: Multilingual Learners, Topic: Collaboration with Service Providers and other Members of the Team, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies, Topic: Curriculum, Topic: Anti-bias Education, Topic: Universal Design for Learning, Topic: Children with Disabilities/Delays, Resource Type: Report Kadisha Conteh Standard 2, Standard 3, Standard 4, Topic: Assessment Methods and Tools, Topic: Assessment Partnerships, Topic: Multilingual Learners, Topic: Collaboration with Service Providers and other Members of the Team, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies, Topic: Curriculum, Topic: Anti-bias Education, Topic: Universal Design for Learning, Topic: Children with Disabilities/Delays, Resource Type: Report Kadisha Conteh

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

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Standard 4, Topic: Play, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Resource Type: Article Kadisha Conteh Standard 4, Topic: Play, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Resource Type: Article Kadisha Conteh

The Power of Playful Learning in the Early Childhood Setting

The Power of Playful Learning in the Early Childhood Setting

This article is an excerpt from chapter 5 in Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth Through Age 8, Fourth Edition (NAEYC 2022). It explores the idea of playful learning.

Organization/Author: Jennfier M. Zosh et. al, Young Children, NAEYC

Type of Resource: Article

Publication Date: 2022

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Standard 1, Standard 4, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Resource Type: Video Collection Kadisha Conteh Standard 1, Standard 4, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Resource Type: Video Collection Kadisha Conteh

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

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Standard 1, Standard 4, Standard 6, Topic: Reflective Practices, Topic: Continuous Collaborative Learning, Resource Type: Video Collection Kadisha Conteh Standard 1, Standard 4, Standard 6, Topic: Reflective Practices, Topic: Continuous Collaborative Learning, Resource Type: Video Collection Kadisha Conteh

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

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Standard 2, Standard 4, Resource Type: Book Chapter, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Play, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies, Topic: Curriculum, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Resource Type: Open Educational Resource (OER) Kadisha Conteh Standard 2, Standard 4, Resource Type: Book Chapter, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Play, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies, Topic: Curriculum, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Resource Type: Open Educational Resource (OER) Kadisha Conteh

OER Textbook: Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children

OER Textbook: Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children

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 includes 8 chapters that provide an overview of the history of the field of early childhood education, developmental theories, and the profession. In addition, observation, assessment, developmental ages and stages, curriculum basics, environments, and partnering with families are explored. 

Click here to learn more about the OER Collection from College of the Canyons.

Organization/Author: Cindy Stephens, Gina Peterson, Sharon Eyrich, and Jennifer Paris, College of the Canyons OER Collection

Type of Resource: Book Chapter, Open Educational Resource (OER)

Publication Date: 2020

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Standard 4, Resource Type: Various, Topic: Universal Design for Learning, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies Kadisha Conteh Standard 4, Resource Type: Various, Topic: Universal Design for Learning, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies Kadisha Conteh

Universal Design for Learning Resources from ECTA

Universal Design for Learning Resources from ECTA

A collection of resources about UDL, including online tool kits, articles, books, and national centers.

Organization/Author: ECTA

Type of Resource: Collection

Publication Date: Unknown

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Standard 4, Resource Type: Blog Post, Topic: Universal Design for Learning, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies Kadisha Conteh Standard 4, Resource Type: Blog Post, Topic: Universal Design for Learning, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies Kadisha Conteh

Universal Design for Learning: Meeting the Needs of All Students

Universal Design for Learning: Meeting the Needs of All Students

This site provides an overview of UDL concepts, then shares examples of how UDL approaches are being used to support two specific and different children in their literacy development.

Organization/Author: Patti Ralabate, Reading Rockets

Type of Resource: Blog

Publication Date: 2024

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Additional Resources

About the Resource Library &

The Professional Standards & Competencies for Early Childhood Educators