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!
ETCA Practice Improvement Tools: Family Practices
ETCA Practice Improvement Tools: Family Practices
This is a set of tools that includes family checklists, family practice guides for practitioners, and family practice guides for families. They are aligned with DEC Recommended Practices.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA)
Type of Resource: Toolkits
Publication Date: 2018
Practitioner Family-Centered Practices for Working With Families
Practitioner Family-Centered Practices for Working With Families
Several brief vignettes with Early Interventionists, families, children interacting in the home setting as examples of family-centered practices.
Organization/Author: Puckett Institute
Type of Resource: Videos
Publication Date: 2017
Building Relationships with Families: Planning to Serve the Diego Family
Building Relationships with Families: Planning to Serve the Diego Family
The Diego family story allows participants to consider the family's cultural values and beliefs, experiences, and successes; and to think about how this relates to their work with young children with disabilities and their families in their communities.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Type of Resource: Video and Facilitators Guide
Publication Date: 2007
Listening to Family Voices in Early Childhood Programs
Listening to Family Voices in Early Childhood Programs
In this 19 minute podcast, Dr. Christine Spence discusses the importance of listening to family’s voices in early childhood programs.
Organization/Author: Illinois Early Learning Project
Type of Resource: Podcast with Transcript
Publication Date: 2019
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
Culture and Parenting Handout
It all begins with an idea.
This 10 page handout discusses parenting domains and the influence on culture.
Organization/Author: Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board
Type of Resource: Report
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
CONNECT Module 3: Communication for Collaboration
CONNECT Module 3: Communication for Collaboration
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. Learn about effective communication practices that can be used to promote collaboration with professionals and families in early care and education, and intervention settings.
Organization/Author: CONNECT: The Center to Mobilize Early Childhood Knowledge and DEC
Type of Resource: Module
Publication Date: Unknown
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
National Center on Parents, Family & Community Engagement (lots of resources)
It all begins with an idea.
National Center on Parents, Family & Community Engagement (lots of resources)
A comprehensive set of parent, family, and community engagement resources.
Organization/Author: National Center on Parent, Family, and Community Engagement
Type of Resource: website
Publication Date: unknown
Engaging Families with Video at Parent Teacher Conferences
It all begins with an idea.
Engaging Families with Video at Parent Teacher Conferences (Results Matter Video Library)
This 7:48 minute video describes and gives examples of how to engage families with video at a family conference.
Organization/Author: Results Matter Video Library, Colorado Department of Education
Type of Resource: video
Publication Date: unknown
Cultural Perspectives in Caregiving: Applying Relationship-Based Practices
It all begins with an idea.
Cultural Perspectives in Caregiving: Applying Relationship-Based Practices
(National Center on Parent, Family, and Community Engagement)
A set of three short vignettes and related reflection questions for staff, managers, and program leaders. Each scenario describes situations similar to those that arise during day-to-day interactions in Head Start and Early Head Start settings. The scenarios demonstrate the use of relationship-based practices in interactions with families.
Organization/Author: National Center on Parent, Family, and Community Engagement
Type of Resource: Scenarios
Publication Date: unknown
The ABCs of Diversity and Inclusion: Developing an Inclusive Environment for Diverse Families in Early Childhood Education
It all begins with an idea.
Early childhood education is a time when children and their parents are learning about their roles in a school. This makes early childhood education a crucial time for developing strong parent–school relationships with diverse families including LGBTQ parents, adoptive families, and multiracial families. This article gives specific, concrete suggestions about how to build and maintain a welcoming, representative, and inclusive environment for diverse families in schools.
Organization/Author: Zero to Three
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2020
Valuing Diversity: Developing a Deeper Understanding of All Young Children's Behavior
Valuing Diversity: Developing a Deeper Understanding of All Young Children's Behavior
A reflection on NAEYC’s position statement, Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education.
Organization/Author: Barbara Kaiser, Judy Sklar Rasminksy, Teaching Young Children, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2019/2020
Additional Resources
