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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
Creating Early Childhood Portfolios
Creating Early Childhood Portfolios
A blog post that outlines the importance of child portfolios, including why they are important and what to include.
Organization/Author: Procare
Type of Resource: Blog
Publication Date: 2021
Toddler Observation Videos
This is a set of four videos of small groups of toddler-aged children in a classroom setting. These videos provide multiple opportunities to practice observation skills.
Organization/Author: hatfieldmomof3, YouTube
Type of Resource: Videos
Publication Date: 2011
Appropriate and Meaningful Assessment in Family-Centered Programs
Appropriate and Meaningful Assessment in Family-Centered Programs
This article discusses elements that make up continuous assessment, including ways teachers can collect, document, organize, and maintain information; the importance of reflecting on this information in collaboration with colleagues and families; and how to use this information for setting goals and planning for individual children and groups.
Organization/Author: James Elicker and Mary Benson McMullen, Young Children, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2013
Tailored Teaching: The Need for Stronger Evidence About Early Childhood Teachers' Use of Ongoing Assessment to Individualize Instruction
Tailored Teaching: The Need for Stronger Evidence About Early Childhood Teachers' Use of Ongoing Assessment to Individualize Instruction
This brief reviews the literature on ongoing assessment in early childhood settings for researchers and practitioners.
Organization/Author: Lauren Akers, Patricia Del Grosso, and Sally Atkins, Burnett, Prepared for U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation
Type of Resource: Report
Publication Date: 2015
Observation Practice Videos
This collection of videos showing children doing a variety of things is divided by age (infants and toddlers, preschoolers).
Organization/Author: Desired Results for Children and Families (DRDP)
Type of Resource: Video Collection
Publication Date: Unknown
Clips for Practicing Observation, Documentation and Assessment Skills (Spanish)
Clips for Practicing Observation, Documentation and Assessment Skills (Spanish)
The videos in this collection are perfect for practicing observation, documentation, and assessment skills. Each has a descript-tion of the ages and activities of the children. All clips may be watched online or downloaded for free. This collection is in Spanish.
Organization/Author: Results Matter Video Library, Colorado Department of Education
Type of Resource: Video Collection
Publication Date: Unknown
Clips for Practicing Observation, Documentation and Assessment Skills
Clips for Practicing Observation, Documentation and Assessment Skills
The videos in this collection are perfect for practicing observation, documentation, and assessment skills. Each has a description of the ages and activities of the children. All clips may be watched online or downloaded for free.
Organization/Author: Results Matter Video Library, Colorado Department of Education
Type of Resource: Video Collection
Publication Date: Unknown
Ongoing Child Assessment to Support Learning
Ongoing Child Assessment to Support Learning
In this module, explore the ongoing child assessment process and its components: ongoing assessment cycle, observation and documentation, engaging families, and additional assessment considerations. It covers the basics of the assessment process, strategies to make the most of assessment to support learning, and some key considerations for planning and carrying out effective assessment, observation, and documentation. This module was developed for a variety of audiences, including education staff who work in preschool, infant/toddler, and home-based programs, as well as those who work in family child care. At the end of the module, users will be able to describe the basics of ongoing assessment and the strategies for effective implementation.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Type of Resource: Module
Publication Date: 2020
Observing, Planning, Guiding: How an Intentional Teacher Meets Standards through Play
Observing, Planning, Guiding: How an Intentional Teacher Meets Standards through Play
A kindergarten teacher explores how to use observation to plan and guide play, while meeting kindergarten standards.
Organization/Author: Patricia MckDonald, Young Children, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2018
Assessment in Kindergarten: Meeting Children Where They Are
Assessment in Kindergarten: Meeting Children Where They Are
The role of intentional, authentic assessment in kindergarten classrooms is explored.
Organization/Author: Amy D. Blessing, Young Children, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2019
Quick and Easy Notes: Practical Strategies for Busy Teachers
Quick and Easy Notes: Practical Strategies for Busy Teachers
Teachers’ knowledge of each child helps them to plan appropriately challenging environments and activities that are tailored to the children’s strengths and needs. Assessing children regularly is essential to build that individualized knowledge—and to identify children who may benefit from more specialized supports. This article offers practical tips for you to engage in systematic, observation-based assessment by keeping anecdotal records on each child.
Organization/Author: Celeste C. Bates, Stephanie Madison Schenck, and Hayley J. Hoover, Teaching Young Children, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2019
Using Observation to Guide Your Teaching
Using Observation to Guide Your Teaching
The role of observation is explored in this article, including using observations to adjust teaching strategies, design learning experiences, and to individualize instruction.
Organization/Author: Dawn Petitpas and Teresa K. Buchanan, Teaching Young Children, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2022
Family Engagement and Ongoing Child Assessment
Family Engagement and Ongoing Child Assessment
This guide may be used to explore strategies for sharing child assessment information with families and early childhood programs. It can help to find ways for programs to partner with families to support children's learning and to enhance relationships between staff and families.
Organization/Author: ECLKC
Type of Resource: Toolkit
Publication Date: 2011
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
Learning from Assessment (LFA) Toolkit (0-5)
Learning from Assessment (LFA) Toolkit (0-5)
The LFA Toolkit is an online collection of presentations, handouts, guided practice exercises, and resources designed to support program staff in conducting and interpreting child assessments. The materials can be used selectively to design professional development that will meet programs' particular needs.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Type of Resource: Toolkits
Publication Date: 2022
ECTA: Screening Resources
This is a collection of screening resources that relate to federal requirements, state guidance, and general resources about screening.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA)
Type of Resource: Toolkits
Publication Date: Unknown
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
DEC Recommended Practices Module: Assessment
DEC Recommended Practices Module: Assessment
Completion of this module will enable you to: 1) explain what assessment practices are, and describe how they support children’s short-term and long-term goals; and 2) describe key assessment principles to make optimal data-driven decisions related to intervention practices. The module introduces and illustrates the practices grouped in the assessment topic area in the DEC Recommended Practices. The DEC Recommended Practices were developed to provide guidance about the most effective ways to improve the learning outcomes and promote the development of young children, birth through five years of age, who have or are at-risk for developmental delays or disabilities.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Recommended Practices Module
Type of Resource: Module
Publication Date: Unknown
Additional Resources
