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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: Open Educational Resource (OER), Standard 5, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies Kadisha Conteh Standard 4, Resource Type: Open Educational Resource (OER), Standard 5, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies Kadisha Conteh

Child Development and Early Education-Field Experience: An Open Educational Resource (OER)

Child Development and Early Education-Field Experience: An Open Educational Resource (OER)
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 is a collection of Field Experience Skill Evaluation rubrics used to evaluate students in early childhood teacher preparation field experiences. A collection of field experience documents created to provide information and support to students, faculty, and community partners is also included.

Organization/Author: Lansing Community College Child Development and Early Education Program

Type of Resource: Open Educational Resource (OER)

Publication Date: 2023

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

How to Build Autonomy in Early Childhood Classrooms

How to Build Autonomy in Early Childhood Classrooms
This  video explores how establishing predictable routines and clear roles in preschool helps even the youngest students grow in their ability to make decisions, take on responsibilities, and accomplish tasks independently.

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

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

Cultivating Calm: Self-Regulation Strategies to Support Children with Big Emotions and Challenging Behaviors Webinar

Cultivating Calm: Self-Regulation Strategies to Support Children with Big Emotions and Challenging Behaviors Webinar

This recorded edWebinar explores ways to nurture and support the development of self-regulation skills in the school environment with the intention of decreasing challenging behaviors. 

Note: registration is required to view webinar

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

Publication Date: 2024

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

Early Childhood Behavior Management Case Study

Early Childhood Behavior Management Case Study

This Case Study includes information on how to create developmentally and culturally appropriate classroom rules and how to effectively teach them. It also explores how to encourage appropriate behavior, address challenging behavior, and partner with families to address behavioral issues.

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

Publication Date: Unknown

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Standard 1, Standard 2, Standard 4, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Topic: Aligned with DEC Recommended Practices, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Children with Disabilities/Delays, Resource Type: Modules Kadisha Conteh Standard 1, Standard 2, Standard 4, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Topic: Aligned with DEC Recommended Practices, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Children with Disabilities/Delays, Resource Type: Modules Kadisha Conteh

Behavior Management Module

Behavior Management Module

This module, a DEC-recommended resource, includes information on how to create developmentally appropriate behavior rules for early childhood classrooms so that they link to a given school's behavior expectations. The importance of communication with families about rules and expected behaviors is also stressed (est. completion time: 2 hours).

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

Publication Date: Unknown

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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, 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 4, Topic: Curriculum, Standard 1, Resource Type: Open Educational Resource (OER), Resource Type: Book Chapter, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Relationships and Interactions Kadisha Conteh Standard 4, Topic: Curriculum, Standard 1, Resource Type: Open Educational Resource (OER), Resource Type: Book Chapter, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Relationships and Interactions Kadisha Conteh

OER Textbook: Implementing Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP) in the Preschool Environment

OER Textbook: Implementing Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP) in the Preschool Environment

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  describes how to implement developmentally appropriate practices in an early childhood classroom.  It includes information on implementing standards, building relationships, supporting diverse learners, and creating curriculum.

Organization/Author: Joan Hayden and Laura Hutton

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

Publication Date: 2021

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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 2, Standard 4, Resource Type: Modules, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Community Partnerships and Resources, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Topic: Aligned with DEC Recommended Practices, Topic: Children with Disabilities/Delays, Topic: Collaboration with Service Providers and other Members of the Team Kadisha Conteh Standard 2, Standard 4, Resource Type: Modules, Topic: Partnership-building with Families, Topic: Community Partnerships and Resources, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Topic: Aligned with DEC Recommended Practices, Topic: Children with Disabilities/Delays, Topic: Collaboration with Service Providers and other Members of the Team Kadisha Conteh

Early Childhood Recommended Practice Module 4: Teaming and Collaboration

Early Childhood Recommended Practice Module 4: Teaming and Collaboration

In this module you will learn the components of teaming and collaboration and why teaming and collaboration amongst practitioners and families is crucial for children with disabilities.

Organization/Author: Early Childhood Recommended Practices

Type of Resource: Module

Publication Date: unknown

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Standard 4, Resource Type: Modules, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Topic: Aligned with DEC Recommended Practices, Topic: Children with Disabilities/Delays Kadisha Conteh Standard 4, Resource Type: Modules, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Topic: Aligned with DEC Recommended Practices, Topic: Children with Disabilities/Delays Kadisha Conteh

Early Childhood Recommended Practice Module 3: Environment

Early Childhood Recommended Practice Module 3: Environment

In this module you will learn the components of a child’s natural and inclusive environment and why attending to the environment is crucial for children with disabilities.

Organization/Author: Early Childhood Recommended Practices

Type of Resource: Module

Publication Date: unknown

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Standard 3, Standard 4, Resource Type: Modules, Topic: Observation and Documentation, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Topic: Aligned with DEC Recommended Practices Kadisha Conteh Standard 3, Standard 4, Resource Type: Modules, Topic: Observation and Documentation, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Topic: Aligned with DEC Recommended Practices Kadisha Conteh

Early Childhood Recommended Early Childhood Recommended Practice Module 1: Interaction

Early Childhood Recommended Early Childhood Recommended Practice Module 1: Interaction

This module will help you learn to support children’s learning and development through quality adult-child and child-child interactions.  Lesson 1 provides a summary of the research on interaction by Dr. Jeanette McCollum.  In lessons 2 and 3, nonverbal and verbal cues, behaviors and interests of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers will be described. You will learn how observing children's behavior is critical in helping you interpret and provide responsive interaction with children. You will also practice using observation of a child's behavior to identify and interpret the child's interests, abilities, and emotions by watching and thinking about several video illustrations. Lesson 4 shares “Voices from the Field”, where practitioners and family leaders share their expertise and perspectives on interaction.

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, 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 4, Resource Type: Web-based Talk Show Magazine, Topic: Inclusion, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies, Topic: Early Childhood Special Education Kadisha Conteh Standard 4, Resource Type: Web-based Talk Show Magazine, Topic: Inclusion, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies, Topic: Early Childhood Special Education Kadisha Conteh

Circle Time Magazine: Inclusion

Circle Time Magazine: Inclusion

Circle Time Magazine is a unique early childhood professional development series that offers a web-based talk show, magazine, and online resources with each episode. This season is all about inclusion. Learn about the services that support children with disabilities, gain an understanding of what inclusion means, and learn strategies for making inclusion happen successfully through planning. You’ll also see easy modifications to increase access and participation and learn ways to facilitate friendships between peers. Check out the short video below for an enticing sample of what you can expect this season.

Organization/Author: Circle Time Magazine, Cultivate Learning, University of Washington

Type of Resource: Web-based Talk Show, Magazine, and Online Resources

Publication Date: Unknown

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Standard 4, Resource Type: Video Collection with Reflection Questions, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies Kadisha Conteh Standard 4, Resource Type: Video Collection with Reflection Questions, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies Kadisha Conteh

Guiding Behavior Video Collection

Guiding Behavior Video Collection

The videos and resources provide ideas and guidance for supporting the development of positive behaviors and relationships.

Organization/Author: Center for Early Childhood Education at Eastern Connecticut University

Type of Resource: Video Collection with Reflection Questions

Publication Date: Unknown

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

Building Inclusive Child Care

Building Inclusive Child Care

This 12-minute video provides an overview of UDL, then shows how UDL is incorporated in the infant/toddler, preschool, and kindergarten classrooms at the Northampton Community College lab school.

Organization/Author: Northampton Community College Lab School

Type of Resource: Video
Publication Date: 2019

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Additional Resources

About the Resource Library &

The Professional Standards & Competencies for Early Childhood Educators