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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!
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
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
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
Working with Families Video Collection
Working with Families Video Collection
Families are children’s first and most important teachers. This video collection includes the following videos:
Learning about a child’s family culture
Building Positive Relationships with Families
Involving Families
Supporting Children’s Individual Needs
Family Reading Time
Supporting English Language Learners in the Preschool Classroom
Organization/Author: Center for Early Childhood Education at Eastern Connecticut University
Type of Resource: Video Collection with Reflection Questions
Publication Date: Unknown
Critical Practices for Anti-Bias Education
Critical Practices for Anti-Bias Education
This guide offers practical strategies for creating a space where academic and social-emotional goals are accomplished side by side in an educational setting. It also provides advice for how teachers can implement culturally responsive pedagogy and bring anti-bias values to life. Critical Practices for Anti-Bias Education are organized into four sections: Instruction, Classroom Culture, Family and Community Engagement, and Teacher Leadership. In each section, you can explore recommended practices, find helpful explanations and learn how each practice connects to anti-bias education. A companion website offers additional resources.
Organization/Author: Perspectives for a Diverse America and Teaching Tolerance
Type of Resource: Report
Publication Date: 2014
Early Childhood Recommended Practice Module 5: Families
Early Childhood Recommended Practice Module 5: Families
This free, online module offers content related to supporting children’s learning and development through quality adult-child and child-child interactions. Objectives target what family-centered practices are, how to build the capacity of families, and strategies for building trusting partnerships with families. A companion Learning Guide provides additional resources for faculty and professional development providers to use in addressing the content of the module.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Recommended Practices Module
Type of Resource: Module
Publication Date: Unknown
CONNECT Module 2: Transition
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 practices to help support children and families as they transition among programs in the early care and education system.
Organization/Author: CONNECT: The Center to Mobilize Early Childhood Knowledge and DEC
Type of Resource: Module
Publication Date: Unknown
The Family Partnership Process: Engaging and Goal Setting with Families
The Family Partnership Process: Engaging and Goal Setting with Families
The guide provides examples of ways to gather information about families' strengths, hopes for their children, and challenges. It also lays out specific strategies to engage families in conversations about goal setting.
Organization/Author: National Center on Parent, Family, and Community Engagement
Type of Resource: Report
Publication Date: Unknown
Best Practices in Family & Community Engagement Video Series- Head Start Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
The Best Practices in Family and Community Engagement Video Series is designed to support each program's efforts toward systemic and integrated engagement. Rooted in the Office of Head Start (OHS) Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (PFCE) Framework, the videos highlight examples of innovative approaches to engagement that foster strong relationships with families and lead to positive outcomes for children and families.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Type of Resource: Video Series
Publication Date: Last Updated 2023
Using Text Messaging to Strengthen Family-School Relationships
Using Text Messaging to Strengthen Family-School Relationships
An 8 minute video that explores the pros and cons of using a text messaging system for family communication.
Organization/Author: Results Matter Video Library, Colorado Department of Education
Type of Resource: Video
Publication Date: Unknown
Preschool Home Visits: Making the Time to Build Relationships Photographer of the Day: Engaging Children with their Families
Preschool Home Visits: Making the Time to Build Relationships Photographer of the Day: Engaging Children with their Families
This 5 minute video explores home visiting practices for the preschool classroom.
Organization/Author: Results Matter Video Library, Colorado Department of Education
Type of Resource: Video
Publication Date: Unknown
Connect Module 4: Family-Professional Partnerships
Connect Module 4: Family-Professional Partnerships
This module presents effective practices for developing family-professional partnerships in a process of developing rapport, forming shared decisions, and partnering with the family to address challenges. Information on research findings and related policies are provided as well as examples of embedded interventions, activities, handouts, video, and audio clips.
Organization/Author: CONNECT: The Center to Mobilize Early Childhood Knowledge
Type of Resource: Module
Publication Date: Unknown
Our Family: A Film about Family Diversity
Our Family: A Film about Family Diversity
In Our Family, children share stories about all kinds of families. Today's children come from families living in one home or two, some are being raised by one mom or one dad, or they might have two parents/caregivers or live with grandparents or other family members. Others have parents/caregivers of different ethnic backgrounds, or who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. And some children are adopted or live in blended families. This short film is a collaboration between Our Family Coalition and Not In Our Town to encourage conversation about the many diverse family constellations, to give children the opportunity to see and appreciate their own families, and to be open and respectful to those who are different from them. A free lesson guide (written for K-12) is available to accompany the film.
Organization/Author: Not in Our Town and Our Family Coalition
Type of Resource: Video
Publication Date: 2016
Embedding Families’ Funds of Knowledge, Daily Routines, and Activities into their Children’s Early Learning Opportunities Across Home and Preschool Contexts
Learn how to honor and support families in their role as their child's first teacher using the strategies introduced in this training, which includes a 7 minute video and corresponding slide deck.
Organization/Author: Head Start Center for Inclusion
Type of Resource: Video and Presentation
Publication Date: Unknown
Funds of Knowledge Video and Companion Handout: Exploring Cultural Concepts-Funds of Knowledge
Funds of Knowledge Video and Companion Handout: Exploring Cultural Concepts-Funds of Knowledge
Watch as Luis Moll describes the concept of Funds of Knowledge. Funds of Knowledge are the essential cultural practices and bodies of knowledge that are embedded in the daily practices and routines of families. Learn how to gather and use the funds of knowledge for children and families in the classroom. A companion handout, Exploring Cultural Concepts: Funds of Knowledge, summarizes Moll’s research and provides a template for learning about the funds of knowledge of each family.
Organization/Author: National Center on Parent, Family, and Community Engagement
Type of Resource: Video and Handout
Publication Date: Unknown
Funds of Knowledge Toolkit
Funds of Knowledge are the essential cultural practices and bodies of knowledge that are embedded in the daily practices and routines of families. This toolkit gives a historical overview of the concept of “funds of knowledge,” a definition of this concept, and ideas for how educators can learn about and use funds of knowledge in their practice.
Organization/Author: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
Type of Resource: Toolkit
Publication Date: Unknown
Engaging Families and Creating Trusting Partnerships to Improve Child and Family Outcomes Webinar Series
The ECTA Center partnered with the DaSy Center, Ann and Rud Turnbull, and invited guests to facilitate an interactive four-part web broadcast series aimed at supporting early intervention (EI) and early childhood special education (ECSE) systems leaders with building capacity in personnel and families to develop trusting partnerships. These partnerships in a child’s early years lay the foundation for achieving the long-term intended outcomes for children/students with developmental delays and disabilities articulated in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The series features discussions of the role that data play in strengthening family-professional partnerships. Suggestions and resources for designing personnel and family development activities to support partnerships are also shared.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA)
Type of Resource: Videos with Handouts and Discussion Questions
Publication Date: 2017
Building Partnership Series: Partnering with Families of Children who are Dual Language Learners
Building Partnership Series: Partnering with Families of Children who are Dual Language Learners
Explore this resource for scenarios and information to help you partner with families of children who are dual language learners.
Organization/Author: National Center on Parent, Family, and Community Engagement
Type of Resource: Report
Publication Date: Unknown
Building Partnership Series: Strategies for Family Engagement-Attitudes and Practices
Building Partnership Series: Strategies for Family Engagement-Attitudes and Practices
This toolkit can be used as part of training and reflective practice and supervision. It includes: description of family engagement, benefits of relationships with families, strengths-based attitudes and relationship-based practices, practical examples, and additional resources and related references.
Organization/Author: National Center on Parent, Family, and Community Engagement
Type of Resource: Report
Publication Date: Unknown
Five Rs for Promoting Positive Family Engagement
Five Rs for Promoting Positive Family Engagement
In this short article, the author offers 5 Rs to guide early childhood educators in building positive relationships with families.
Organization/Author: Bweikia Foster Steen, Teaching Young Children, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Position Statement
Publication Date: 2022
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