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
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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!
Supporting Early Literacy Through Universal Design and Assistive Technology
Supporting Early Literacy Through Universal Design and Assistive Technology
Prepare to engage children with disabilities who are linguistically diverse in language and literacy development opportunities, with this set of practical tools and resources. Materials include presentation video, presentation slides, and related handouts.
Organization/Author: Head Start Center for Inclusion
Type of Resource: Training
Publication Date: Unknown
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
Accessible Learning Spaces: A Guide to Implementing Universal Design in Early Childhood Webinar
Accessible Learning Spaces: A Guide to Implementing Universal Design in Early Childhood Webinar
Whether you’re new to UDL or looking to deepen your understanding and practice, this edWebinar empowers you to unlock the potential of every child in your early learning environment. Prepare to transform your teaching and create a more inclusive, engaging, and effective environment. From designing flexible learning spaces to using technology to support diverse learners, you discover practical strategies and tips for implementing UDL in your classroom to increase student engagement and success. Note: registration is required to view webinar
Organization/Author: Cindy Mudroch, edWeb Webinar
Type of Resource: Webinar
Publication Date: 2024
A Child-Centered Approach for Inspiring Discovery and Learning in Pre-K Students Webinar
A Child-Centered Approach for Inspiring Discovery and Learning in Pre-K Students Webinar
This edWebinar explores how an innovative blend of play, hands-on experiences, direct instruction, and technology can enrich your teaching practices and provide developmentally appropriate, thematically integrated learning experiences. Kara Ball, author and Academic Officer at Teacher Created Materials, addresses the key elements of creating a safe and engaging preschool classroom where children learn through exploration, inquiry, and play. Note: registration is required to view webinar
Organization/Author: Kara Ball, edWeb Webinar
Type of Resource: Webinar
Publication Date: 2024
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
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
Think, Try, Fix, Share Inclusive Engineering with Young Children Using Universal Design Webinar
Think, Try, Fix, Share Inclusive Engineering with Young Children Using Universal Design Webinar
This recorded webinar presentation (with handouts) explains the engineering practices and problem-solving framework and then teaches how to implement them in an inclusive classroom using fun, engaging, play-based activities. The activities incorporate children’s literature as part of the problem-solving experiences to help children participate in the general education curriculum across various domains. Finally, we will show participants how to make these engineering experiences accessible to young children in an inclusive setting. This presentation will provide educators with hands-on activities using Next Generation Science Standards and specific UDL strategies that support all young children.
Note: registration is required to view webinar
Organization/Author: Angi Stone-Macdonald, Ph.D, and Amanda Lopes, Ph.D, Early Childhood Investigations
Type of Resource: Webinar
Publication Date: 2024
Building Blocks for Supporting all Children in Inclusive Settings Webinar
Building Blocks for Supporting all Children in Inclusive Settings Webinar
This webinar explores the Building Blocks Framework to support all children in the classroom. This framework includes four components: 1) A High Quality Early Childhood Environment 2) Curriculum Modifications 3) Embedded Learning Opportunities4) Child Focused Instructional Strategies. This framework is designed to work in any early learning setting (including families homes for early intervention providers) and aligns with other early childhood curriculum.
Note: registration is required to view webinar
Organization/Author: Angi Stone-Macdonald, Ph.D, and Amanda Lopes, Ph.D, Early Childhood Investigations
Type of Resource: Webinar
Publication Date: 2024
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
Rocking and Rolling. Promoting Inclusion in Infant and Toddler Settings
Rocking and Rolling. Promoting Inclusion in Infant and Toddler Settings
Rocking and Rolling, edited by Rebecca Parlakian and her colleagues from ZERO to THREE, focuses on supporting infants, toddlers, and their families. Each column offers instructional insights and suggestions that are grounded in research yet presented through real-life examples.
Organization/Author: Rebecca Parlakian, Young Children, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2021
Implementing a Curriculum Responsively: Supporting Children’s Development and Learning
Implementing a Curriculum Responsively: Supporting Children’s Development and Learning
This suite describes how education staff can implement a responsive curriculum. It also highlights the importance of understanding children's development and learning. Explore the ways a curriculum guides the learning environment, learning experiences, and adult-child interactions. Consider ways to use a curriculum's guidance to support children's development and learning and promote positive child outcomes.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Type of Resource: Training
Publication Date: 2024
Early Learning Professional Development Packages: Individualized Teaching and Learning
Early Learning Professional Development Packages: Individualized Teaching and Learning
This is a curated professional development package. The content can be used for professional learning, presentations, and coaching opportunities. Topics focus on individualized teaching and learning.
Organization/Author: Cultivate Learning, University of Washington
Type of Resource: Training
Publication Date: Various
Visual Supports
This high-quality collection of visuals and supports can be printed and used immediately to support young children's development and learning. Each visual support includes a guide that explains what the support is, why it might be used, and how to increase the participation, engagement, and learning of children in your learning environment.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Type of Resource: Toolkit
Publication Date: Unknown
Embedded Learning Opportunities for Infants and Toddlers
Embedded Learning Opportunities for Infants and Toddlers
The purpose of this module is to provide trainers and participants with information about Embedded Learning Opportunities for Infants and Toddlers. Other common terms that refer to this practice include “activity-based intervention,” “naturalistic instruction,” and “incidental teaching.” This training module provides examples and suggestions for using embedded learning opportunities (ELOs) in inclusive, home-based family child care, and center-based early care and education settings.This set of materials includes presentation slides, presenter notes, and related handouts.
Organization/Author: Head Start Center for Inclusion
Type of Resource: Training
Publication Date: Unknown
Curriculum Modifications for Infants and Toddlers
Curriculum Modifications for Infants and Toddlers
Curriculum modifications are changes to the environment, activity, or materials that promote infant or toddler participation in planned activities, interactions, and routines. This set of materials includes presentation slides, presenter notes, and related handouts.
Organization/Author: Head Start Center for Inclusion
Type of Resource: Training
Publication Date: Unknown
Video Series: Why Inclusion
A set of three animated videos that describe high quality inclusion:
Part 1: Let’s Change Attitudes and Beliefs
Part 2: Key Characteristics of High Quality Inclusive Education
Part 3: Social Outcomes in Inclusion
Organization/Author: STEMIE: Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education
Type of Resource: Toolkit
Publication Date: 2021
A Guide to Teaching Practices
Teaching strategies are practices used by adults (e.g., family members, practitioners) or, in some instances, by other children to help facilitate children’s participation in everyday routines, learning experiences, and activities. Using these strategies engages children in activities, maintains their interest, and provides opportunities for them to learn concepts and thinking skills that support STEM learning when using adaptations (see STEMIE’s A Guide to Adaptations resource for more information) is not a sufficient support.
Organization/Author: STEMIE: Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education
Type of Resource: Toolkit
Publication Date: 2023
A Guide to Adaptations
The inclusion framework is informed by evidence-based inclusive practices (e.g., Campbell & Milbourne, 2007; DEC, 2014) and focuses on the supports adults can implement to facilitate STEM learning for children with disabilities.
Within the hierarchy, adaptations to the environment and materials are aligned to the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) Recommended Practices on environment while instructional adaptations are aligned to the Recommended Practices on instruction.
1. Environment (e.g., room set-up, equipment, how an activity is done, length of time)
2. Materials (e.g., adaptations to toys, materials, assistive technology devices)
3. Instruction (e.g., add information, reduce steps)
Organization/Author: STEMIE: Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education
Type of Resource: Toolkit
Publication Date: 2023
Additional Resources
