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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

Check out the resource library tutorial here!

  • 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.

  • 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!

Resource Type: Position Statement, Topic: Advocacy, Topic: Assessment Partnerships, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Community Partnerships and Resources, Topic: Ethical and Professional Guidelines, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Standard 1, Standard 2, Standard 3, Standard 4, Standard 5, Standard 6 Kadisha Conteh Resource Type: Position Statement, Topic: Advocacy, Topic: Assessment Partnerships, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Community Partnerships and Resources, Topic: Ethical and Professional Guidelines, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Standard 1, Standard 2, Standard 3, Standard 4, Standard 5, Standard 6 Kadisha Conteh

Code of Ethics for Early Childhood Educators Position Statement (full document & related resources)

Code of Ethics for Early Childhood Educators | NAEYC

Along with core knowledge, skills, values, and dispositions, early childhood educators who work in homes, centers, and schools have professional, ethical responsibilities. The “Code of Ethics for Early Childhood Educators” outlines the essential ethical responsibilities for the early childhood education profession. It speaks to a set of professional ethics—the moral responsibilities that go beyond personal beliefs—that guide ECE workplace decision making and behavior. This link access the full position statement along with other related code of ethics resources and supplements. (Available in English, Spanish, and Chinese)

Organization/Author: NAEYC

Type of Resource: Position Statement

Publication Date: 2025

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Standard 1, Standard 2, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Multilingual Learners, Topic: Family Diversity, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Resource Type: Video Collection Kadisha Conteh Standard 1, Standard 2, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Multilingual Learners, Topic: Family Diversity, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Resource Type: Video Collection Kadisha Conteh

Family Literacy at Home: Videos in English and Spanish

https://go.colorincolorado.org/family-literacy-home-videos-english-and-spanish

All families can help their children become readers! These videos offer practical tips for all families on how to support reading at home. These videos are available in English and Spanish and feature early literacy expert Bernadette Pilar Zermeño.

Organization/Author: Bernadette Pilar Zermeño, Colorin colorado!

Type of Resource: Videos

Publication Date: 2025

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Standard 2, Topic: Family Diversity, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Resource Type: Training Kadisha Conteh Standard 2, Topic: Family Diversity, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Resource Type: Training Kadisha Conteh

Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Simulation: Boosting School Readiness Through Effective Family Engagement Series

https://headstart.gov/family-engagement/article/parent-family-community-engagement-simulation-boosting-school-readiness-through-effective-family?redirect=eclkc

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

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Resource Type: Article, Standard 1, Standard 2, Topic: Family Diversity, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Partnership-building with Families Kadisha Conteh Resource Type: Article, Standard 1, Standard 2, Topic: Family Diversity, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Partnership-building with Families Kadisha Conteh

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

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Resource Type: Article, Standard 2, Standard 4, Standard 5, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies, Topic: Content Knowledge: Language and Literacy Kadisha Conteh Resource Type: Article, Standard 2, Standard 4, Standard 5, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies, Topic: Content Knowledge: Language and Literacy Kadisha Conteh

From the Pages of TYC. Partnering with Families to Support Young Children’s Social and Emotional Development Through Picture Books

https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/summer2024/partnering-with-families

This article explores how educators can partner with families to use picture books as primary tools for nurturing social-emotional skills like empathy, self-regulation, and perseverance. It suggests that by providing lending libraries with discussion guides and hosting interactive literacy workshops, teachers help families navigate challenging topics while strengthening the parent-child bond.

Organization/Author: Alison Hooper, Young Children, NAEYC

Type of Resource: Article

Publication Date: Summer 2024

Topic of issue of YC: Self-Regulation and Executive Function: Responsive and Informed Practices for Early Childhood

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Resource Type: Article, Standard 1, Standard 2, Standard 4, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies Kadisha Conteh Resource Type: Article, Standard 1, Standard 2, Standard 4, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies Kadisha Conteh

Rocking and Rolling. Using Materials Creatively to Enhance Toddler Learning Environments

https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/fall2024/rocking-and-rolling

This article highlights how educators boost toddler engagement by following children’s interests and using "loose parts"—low-cost, open-ended materials like nature finds and repurposed household items. It suggests that replacing expensive, single-use toys with versatile, family-donated materials fosters deeper problem-solving and agency while creating a sustainable learning space that is culturally reflective of a child’s home.

Organization/Author: Erin Skaggs and Janelle Jamero, 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

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Resource Type: Article, Standard 1, Standard 2, Standard 5, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Family Diversity, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Curriculum Kadisha Conteh Resource Type: Article, Standard 1, Standard 2, Standard 5, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Family Diversity, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Curriculum Kadisha Conteh

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

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

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

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Standard 1, Standard 2, Standard 4, Resource Type: Article, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Multilingual Learners, Topic: Family Diversity, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Relationships and Interactions Kadisha Conteh Standard 1, Standard 2, Standard 4, Resource Type: Article, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Multilingual Learners, Topic: Family Diversity, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Relationships and Interactions Kadisha Conteh

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

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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 2, Standard 4, Resource Type: Modules, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Collaboration with Service Providers and other Members of the Team, Topic: Early Childhood Special Education Kadisha Conteh Standard 2, Standard 4, Resource Type: Modules, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Collaboration with Service Providers and other Members of the Team, Topic: Early Childhood Special Education Kadisha Conteh

CONNECT Module 5: Assistive Technology 

CONNECT Module 5: Assistive Technology 

These modules are designed for faculty and professional development providers to use in their professional development. Instructor Guides, in the form of dashboards, are included. Students learn about the purpose, use and potential benefits of assistive technology interventions when working with young children.

Organization/Author: CONNECT: The Center to Mobilize Early Childhood Knowledge

Type of Resource: Module

Publication Date: unknown

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Standard 2, Standard 4, Resource Type: Modules, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Aligned with DEC Recommended Practices, Topic: Children with Disabilities/Delays Kadisha Conteh Standard 2, Standard 4, Resource Type: Modules, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Aligned with DEC Recommended Practices, Topic: Children with Disabilities/Delays Kadisha Conteh

Early Childhood Recommended Practice Module 6: Instruction

Early Childhood Recommended Practice Module 6: Instruction

In this module you will learn effective instructional practices and why intentional and systematic instruction is crucial for children with disabilities.

Organization/Author: Early Childhood Recommended Practices

Type of Resource: Module

Publication Date: unknown

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Standard 2, Standard 4, Resource Type: Toolkit, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Aligned with DEC Recommended Practices, Topic: Children with Disabilities/Delays Kadisha Conteh Standard 2, Standard 4, Resource Type: Toolkit, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Aligned with DEC Recommended Practices, Topic: Children with Disabilities/Delays Kadisha Conteh

ECTA Practice Improvement Tools: Instruction

ECTA Practice Improvement Tools: Instruction

Instructional practices are a cornerstone of early intervention and early childhood special education. Teachers, other practitioners, family members, and other caregivers use instructional practices to maximize learning and improve developmental and functional outcomes for young children who have or are at risk for developmental delays/disabilities.This set includes instruction checklists, instruction guides for practitioners, and instruction practice guides for families.

Organization/Author: Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA)

Type of Resource: Toolkits

Publication Date: various

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Standard 2, Standard 4, Standard 5, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Aligned with DEC Recommended Practices, Topic: Children with Disabilities/Delays, Resource Type: Toolkit Kadisha Conteh Standard 2, Standard 4, Standard 5, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Aligned with DEC Recommended Practices, Topic: Children with Disabilities/Delays, Resource Type: Toolkit Kadisha Conteh

ECTA Practice Improvement Tools: Interaction

ECTA Practice Improvement Tools: Interaction

Sensitive and responsive interactional practices are the foundation for promoting the development of a child's language and cognitive and emotional competence. These interactional practices are the basis for fostering all children's learning. For children who have or are at risk for developmental delays/disabilities, they represent a critical set of strategies for fostering children's social-emotional competence, communication, cognitive development, problem-solving, autonomy, and persistence. This set includes interaction checklists, interaction guides for practitioners, and interaction practice guides for families.

Organization/Author: Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA)

Type of Resource: Toolkits

Publication Date: various

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Standard 2, Standard 4, Resource Type: Video and Facilitator's Guide, Topic: Inclusion, Topic: Early Childhood Special Education, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Collaboration with Service Providers and other Members of the Team, Topic: Children with Disabilities/Delays Kadisha Conteh Standard 2, Standard 4, Resource Type: Video and Facilitator's Guide, Topic: Inclusion, Topic: Early Childhood Special Education, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Collaboration with Service Providers and other Members of the Team, Topic: Children with Disabilities/Delays Kadisha Conteh

Inclusion of Children with Disabilities Training Guide

Inclusion of Children with Disabilities Training Guide

The Inclusion of Children with Disabilities: Training Guide is designed to strengthen the inclusion of young children with disabilities and their families in programs serving infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

The guide features four modules, each containing a facilitator’s guide, training scripts, handouts, and videos. The modules are:

Including Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities

Building Relationships with Families

Collaboration and Teaming

Preschool Inclusion Series

The training materials can be used in a variety of professional development settings. They can also help service providers and parents plan together to increase opportunities for inclusion in their communities.

Organization/Author: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)

Type of Resource: Video and Facilitator’s Guide

Publication Date: 2024

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Standard 2, Standard 4, Topic: Inclusion, Topic: Early Childhood Special Education, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Children with Disabilities/Delays, Topic: Collaboration with Service Providers and other Members of the Team, Resource Type: Website Kadisha Conteh Standard 2, Standard 4, Topic: Inclusion, Topic: Early Childhood Special Education, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Children with Disabilities/Delays, Topic: Collaboration with Service Providers and other Members of the Team, Resource Type: Website Kadisha Conteh

Head Start Center for Inclusion

Head Start Center for Inclusion

A variety of resources that support early childhood educators to ensure that children with disabilities can participate as full members of their learning communities.

Organization/Author: Head Start Center for Inclusion

Type of Resource: website

Publication Date: Unknown

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Standard 2, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Resource Type: Webinar Kadisha Conteh Standard 2, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Resource Type: Webinar Kadisha Conteh

Strengths-Based Family Relationships: Strategies for moving beyond negativity and judgment Webinar

Strengths-Based Family Relationships: Strategies for moving beyond negativity and judgment Webinar

This webinar recording focuses on strengths based family relationships strategies. A webinar packet is included. 

Note: registration is required to view webinar

Organization/Author:  Susan MacDonald, Early Childhood Investigations 

Type of Resource: Webinar

Publication Date: 2024

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Standard 2, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Community Partnerships and Resources, Resource Type: Textbook, Resource Type: Open Educational Resource (OER) Kadisha Conteh Standard 2, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Community Partnerships and Resources, Resource Type: Textbook, Resource Type: Open Educational Resource (OER) Kadisha Conteh

OER Textbook: Child, Family, and Community 

OER Textbook: Child, Family, and Community 

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 9 chapters about partnering with families, family engagement, culture, etc.  

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

Organization/Author:  Rebecca Laff, Cindy Stephens, and Wendy Ruiz, College of the Canyons OER Collection

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

Publication Date: 2020

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Standard 2, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Early Intervention, Resource Type: Modules Kadisha Conteh Standard 2, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Early Intervention, Resource Type: Modules Kadisha Conteh

ECTA Family Capacity-Building Online Module

ECTA Family Capacity-Building Online Module

Family capacity-building is an  approach that can be used to promote parents' use of any type of early childhood practice, and includes strategies to engage parents in activities to build their competence and confidence in providing learning opportunities for their child. This online module provides an introduction to this framework.

Organization/Author:  ECTA Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center

Type of Resource: Module

Publication Date: Unknown

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Standard 2, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Resource Type: Video Kadisha Conteh Standard 2, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Resource Type: Video Kadisha Conteh

Let’s Dig Deep: Partnerships Between Teachers and Parents/Families 4 Part Video Series

Let’s Dig Deep: Partnerships Between Teachers and Parents/Families 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 partnerships between teachers and families.

Organization/Author:  Devereux Center for Resilient Children

Type of Resource: Videos

Publication Date: 2023

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