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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!
Authentic Assessment in Infant-Toddler Care Settings
Authentic Assessment in Infant-Toddler Care Settings
This policy brief describes what authentic assessment is, the role observation plays in authentic assessment, how information from observations is used to develop curriculum, outcomes from authentic assessment, and the need to include authentic assessment training in professional development activities for early childhood practitioners.
Organization/Author: Allyson Dean and Brenda Zollitsch
Type of Resource: Report
Publication Date: 2013
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
Perspectives on Assessment of DLLs Development & Learning, Prek-Third Grade
Perspectives on Assessment of DLLs Development & Learning, Prek-Third Grade
The chronic academic underachievement of the DLL population across the nation, and their lower school readiness scores in mathematics and literacy at kindergarten entry clearly reveal the need for more effective assessment approaches that are linked to improved instruction for young DLLs. Linda Espinosa’s 2016 paper is organized around the following questions: 1) What are the important linguistic, cultural, and background factors to consider in the assessment of young DLLs? 2) What are the most appropriate methods for assessing young DLLs for certain purposes (e.g., instructional improvement and developmental screening)? 3) What technical considerations are required for testing DLLs? 4) What do teachers need to know about the valid assessment of young DLLs?
Organization/Author: Linda M Espinosa, Ph.D.
Type of Resource: Report
Publication Date: 2016
Screening DLLs in Early Head Start and Head Start: A Guide for Program Leaders (0-5)
Screening DLLs in Early Head Start and Head Start: A Guide for Program Leaders (0-5)
This guide reviews current understandings of the development and importance of screening in supporting DLLs. It includes tools that can help Head Start and Early Head Start program leaders make informed and intentional decisions about selecting valid screening instruments and implementing high-quality screening practices for young DLLs. While the emphasis in this publication is Head Start and Early Head Start, the content has broader applicability and relevance.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Type of Resource: Toolkit
Publication Date: 2024
Birth to Three Screening and Assessment Resource Guide
Birth to Three Screening and Assessment Resource Guide
In the world of assessment, there are hundreds of instruments to choose from. Knowing how to choose the instrument(s) that will best fit the needs of program staff, families, and children is critically important. For the purposes of this Resource Guide, only those instruments that have been specifically designed for use with infants and toddlers were identified. In addition, the most common and widely used developmental screening and child assessment instruments were included.
Organization/Author: Sophia Arnold
Type of Resource: Report
Publication Date: 2017
Screening
Screening, evaluation and assessment are distinct processes with different purposes under the provisions of Part C and Part B of IDEA. Screening includes activities to identify children who may need further evaluation in order to determine the existence of a delay in development or a particular disability. This site includes a number of evidence-based screening options and tools.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA)
Type of Resource: Reports
Publication Date: various
Using Data to Inform Teaching
This archived webinar illustrates how to use assessment data to inform and adjust teaching practices. Supplemental resources include a set of PowerPoints, presenter notes, and learning activities for applying the content to scenarios in early writing, expressive language, persistence, and direction-following.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Type of Resource: Training
Publication Date: 2024
Using Child Assessment Data to Achieve Positive Outcomes
Using Child Assessment Data to Achieve Positive Outcomes
Administrators and teachers illustrate how they use authentic child assessment data to 1) inform classroom level instruction, 2) support teachers, and 3) meet the needs of individual children and their families.
Organization/Author: Results Matter Video Library, Colorado Department of Education
Type of Resource: Video
Publication Date: Unknown
Sharing Assessment Info. w/ Families- Engaging Families with Video at Parent-Teacher Conferences; Family Engagement w/ TS GOLD; Aiden's Parent-Teacher Conference; Finley’s Parent-Teacher Conference
Engaging Families with Video at Parent-Teacher Conferences
Family Engagement With TS GOLD
Aiden's Parent-Teacher Conference
Finley’s Parent-Teacher Conference
The videos in this collection are related to sharing assessment information with families while hosting a parent/teacher or family conference.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Type of Resource: Video Collection
Publication Date: Unknown
Using Checklists (3-5)
In this archived webinar, learn simple ways teachers can develop and use checklists to collect data on child progress. Additional resources, including tips, tools, and sample checklists are available at this site for teachers and supervisors to use in documenting progress on specific skills like expressive language.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Type of Resource: Training
Publication Date: 2024
Ongoing Child Assessment
This site features a variety of resources to support ongoing child assessment, including archived webinars on preparing for assessment, collecting and using information, interpreting information, and strengthening your program. Related resources at the site include tips, tools, and resources for teachers and supervisors.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Type of Resource: Training
Publication Date: 2022
Ongoing Child Assessment: Overview
Ongoing Child Assessment: Overview
Check out this 15-minute In-service Suite about ongoing child assessment. Trainers can review the presentation notes and slides to guide participants in the learning activities around gathering child assessment information and using data to support children, especially those with disabilities, and their families.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Type of Resource: Training
Publication Date: 2024
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
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