Welcome to the…
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.
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!
Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Simulation: Boosting School Readiness Through Effective Family Engagement Series
These four training simulations are designed to provide students with immersive, practice-based opportunities to master the complexities of family engagement and professional collaboration. Simulation 1 allows students to practice building bonds with families, beginning with an intake visit. Simulation 2 explores the process of developing and implementing goals with families. Simulation 3 explores using strengths-based attitudes to partner with families during challenging times. Simulation 4 allows students to practice using collaborative strategies to partner with families during conversations about developmental concerns.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Type of Resource: Training (Simulations)
Publication Date: Last updated Dec. 2025
Message in a Backpack™. Strategies Families Can Use for Dealing with Stress
https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/eyc/summer2025/message-in-a-backpack
This "Message in a Backpack™" article provides practical guidance for families on managing stress to support both adult well-being and child development.
Organization/Author: Ingrid Anderson, Educating Young Children, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: Summer 2025
Topic of issue of EYC: Educator Well-Being: Supports Across the Early Childhood Ecosystem
Engaging Families of Multilingual Learners: Using Families’ Stories to Link Classroom Content with Children’s Funds of Knowledge
https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/fall2024/engaging-multilingual-learner-families
This article explores how educators can use simple technology, like QR codes and tablets, to bring families' "funds of knowledge" and home languages directly into the classroom curriculum. It suggests that by having families record and share personal stories related to class themes, teachers create a more inclusive environment that values a child's heritage and strengthens their language development. This approach fosters a deeper, reciprocal partnership between home and school while making learning more meaningful and engaging for multilingual learners.
Organization/Author: Alexandra Figueras-Daniels and Bernice Vasquez, Young Children, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: Fall 2024
Topic of issue of YC: Informed and Guided by Context: Strengths-Based Teaching and Learning
A Broader Concept of Family: Strategies for Welcoming Foster Families into Early Childhood Settings
https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/winter2024/welcoming-foster-families
This article explores how teachers can better support children in foster care by building strong, respectful partnerships with their foster parents. It suggests moving away from traditional labels like "mom and dad" or rigid assignments like "family trees" in favor of more inclusive language and activities that welcome all types of caregivers. By focusing on open communication and honoring the unique roles of everyone involved, educators can create a stable and caring environment where every child feels they belong.
Organization/Author: Danielle Dushane and Ysaaca Axelrod, Young Children, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: Winter 2024
Topic of issue of YC: Creating and Supporting High-Quality Early Learning Programs
Message in a Backpack™. Benefits When Families Speak Their Home Languages
https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/tyc/summer2024/message-backpack-speak-their-home-languages
Also available in Spanish: https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/tyc/summer2024/message-backpacktm-los-beneficios-de-hablar
This article is a resource written specifically for families to explain why speaking their native language at home is so beneficial for their children. It suggests that using a home language doesn't slow down English learning, but instead builds a child's brain power, strengthens family bonds, and creates a proud sense of cultural identity. By sharing stories and songs in their own language, parents provide a "secret ingredient" that helps their children succeed both at home and in school.
Organization/Author: Rica Ramirez, Teaching Young Children, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: Summer 2024
Topic of issue of TYC: Nurturing Multilingual Learners in Preschool
Six Ways Educators Can Honor Home Languages
https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/tyc/summer2024/educators-can-honor-home-languages
This article explores practical ways educators can value and incorporate children's home languages into the classroom, even if the teachers are monolingual English speakers. It suggests that by engaging families, using multilingual greetings, and affirming home languages during play, educators create a more inclusive environment that strengthens a child's cultural identity. These strategies help build a caring community where diverse linguistic backgrounds are recognized as valuable assets to learning.
Organization/Author: Angele Sancho Passe, Teaching Young Children, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: Summer 2024
Topic of issue of TYC: Nurturing Multilingual Learners in Preschool
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
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
Culturally Responsive Teaching
Culturally Responsive Teaching
A short article that introduces Culturally Responsive Teaching and the work of Zaretta Hammond.
Organization/Author: National Equity Project
Type of Resource: Blog
Publication Date: Unknown
Gathering and Embedding Families' Funds of Knowledge
Gathering and Embedding Families' Funds of Knowledge
Honor and support families in their role as their child's first teacher using the strategies introduced in this training. A video and presentation slides are included.
Organization/Author: Head Start Center on Inclusion
Type of Resource: Training
Publication Date: Unknown
Our Family: A Film about Family Diversity
Our Family: A Film about Family Diversity
In Our Family, children share stories about all kinds of families. Today's children come from families living in one home or two, some are being raised by one mom or one dad, or they might have two parents/caregivers or live with grandparents or other family members. Others have parents/caregivers of different ethnic backgrounds, or who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. And some children are adopted or live in blended families. This short film is a collaboration between Our Family Coalition and Not In Our Town to encourage conversation about the many diverse family constellations, to give children the opportunity to see and appreciate their own families, and to be open and respectful to those who are different from them. A free lesson guide (written for K-12) is available to accompany the film.
Organization/Author: Not in Our Town and Our Family Coalition
Type of Resource: Video
Publication Date: 2016
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
Emergent Writing
It all begins with an idea.
In this 15-minute In-service Suite, learn about the writing process. Explore the developmental progression of writing and discover ways adults can support children's emergent writing skills and explorations in the learning environment.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Type of Resource: Training
Publication Date: 2024
NAEYC’s Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) Position Statement (full document)
NAEYC’s Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) Position Statement (full document)
This position statement, one of five foundational documents developed by NAEYC in collaboration with the early childhood profession to advance high-quality early learning for all young children, defines the term, “developmentally appropriate practice.” The definition emerges from a set of evidence-based core considerations and principles of child development and learning, all of which are explained in the principles section of this statement. To support educators’ use of developmentally appropriate practice, this statement also identifies guidelines for decision making in six key areas of responsibility that correspond to the Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators.
Organization/Author: NAEYC
Type of Resource: Position Statement
Publication Date: 2020
NAEYC’s Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education Position Statement Recommendations for Early Childhood Educators: (full document)
advancingequitypositionstatement.pdf
This position statement is one of five foundational documents NAEYC has developed in collaboration with the early childhood profession. With its specific focus on advancing equity in early childhood education, this statement complements and supports the other foundational documents that (1) define developmentally appropriate practice, (2) set professional standards and competencies for early childhood educators, (3) define the profession’s code of ethics, and (4) outline standards for early learning programs.
Organization/Author: NAEYC
Type of Resource: Position Statement
Publication Date: 2019
OER Textbook: Introduction to Careers in Child Development
OER Textbook: Introduction to Careers in Child Development
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 is an academic and career exploration in the field of early childhood education and child development.
Organization/Author: Gloria San Jose Daims
Type of Resource: Book Chapter, Open Education Resource (OER)
Publication Date: 2021
Textbook Chapter, Diverse Family Structures from OER textbook, Infant and Toddler Development
It all begins with an idea.
Textbook Chapter, Diverse Family Structures from OER textbook, Infant and Toddler Development
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.
In this chapter of an OER Infant and Toddler textbook, read about diverse family structures as well as terms that help to build a culture of inclusivity and equity.
Organization/Author: Krischa Esquivel, Emily Elam, Jennifer Paris, and Maricela Tafoya, College of the Canyons OER Collection
Type of Resource: Book Chapter, Open Educational Resource (OER)
Publication Date: 2019
Infant Mental Health and Cultural Competence
It all begins with an idea.
Infant Mental Health and Cultural Competence
In this article, learn tips for promoting cultural competence among early childhood staff.
Organization: Zero to Three
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2016
Textbook Chapter, The Importance of Culture from OER textbook, Infant and Toddler Development
It all begins with an idea.
Textbook Chapter, The Importance of Culture from OER textbook, Infant and Toddler Development
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.
In this chapter of an OER Infant and Toddler textbook, read about culture, how culture is passed, and how knowing about culture can help educators be responsive to children and families.
Organization/Author: Krischa Esquivel, Emily Elam, Jennifer Paris, and Maricela Tafoya, College of the Canyons OER Collection
Type of Resource: Book Chapter, Open Educational Resource (OER)
Publication Date: 2019
Additional Resources
