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!
What to Expect in Social Studies
What to Expect in Social Studies
Different learning experiences to bring social studies into the classroom.
Organization/Author: Diana Townsend-Butterworth, Great Schools Blog
Type of Resource: Blog
Publication Date: 2024
Hitting the Road With Social Studies
Hitting the Road With Social Studies
This article embraces the concepts of social studies through human, physical, and environment geography in the early years.
Organization/Author: Clarissa Martínez, Dual-Language Content Manager, Teaching Strategies
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2019
Video: Four Boys Talk About a Garbage Truck
Video: Four Boys Talk About a Garbage Truck
During choice time, four boys watch a video of a recent visit by sanitation workers and talk about their experience. Produced by Results Matter, Colorado Department of Education.
Organization/Author: Results Matter, Colorado Department of Education
Type of Resource: Video
Publication Date: 2021
National Council for the Social Studies: Early Childhood in the Social Studies Context
National Council for the Social Studies: Early Childhood in the Social Studies Context
The National Council for Social Studies provides a set of guidelines related to social studies.
Organization/Author: National Council for Social Studies
Type of Resource: Position Statements
Publication Date: 2019
Rocking and Rolling. Fresh Air, Fun, and Exploration: Why Outdoor Play Is Essential for Healthy Development
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: Kathy Kinsner, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2019
Rocking and Rolling. Reading with Babies Matters!
Rocking and Rolling. Reading with Babies Matters!
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: Kathy Kinsner and Rebecca Parlakian, Young Children, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2019
Rocking and Rolling. Building New Skills: Block Construction in Toddler Settings
Rocking and Rolling. Building New Skills: Block Construction in 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: 2020
Rocking and Rolling. Fostering Curiosity in Infants and Toddlers
Rocking and Rolling. Fostering Curiosity in Infants and Toddlers
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: 2020
Rocking and Rolling. Reading Aloud with Infants and Toddlers
Rocking and Rolling. Reading Aloud with Infants and Toddlers
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: Kathy Kinsner and Rebecca Parlakian, Young Children, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2021
Rocking and Rolling. Nurturing Early Math Play and Discovery
Rocking and Rolling. Nurturing Early Math Play and Discovery
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: 2022
Rocking and Rolling. Media and Technology for Our Littlest Learners: Guidance for Educators and Families on Choosing Appropriate High-Quality Content
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: Fashina Alade, Young Children, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2023
Rocking and Rolling. Supporting Curiosity and Inquiry in Early Social Studies
Rocking and Rolling. Supporting Curiosity and Inquiry in Early Social Studies
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: Anna Falkner, Noreen Naseem Rodriquez, Young Children, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2024
Rocking and Rolling: Using Materials Creatively to Enhance Toddler Learning Environments
Rocking and Rolling: Using Materials Creatively to Enhance Toddler Learning Environments
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: Erin Skaggs and Janelle Jamero, Young Children, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2024
Emergent Writing
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
Early Childhood: Birth to Five Learning Modules
Early Childhood: Birth to Five Learning Modules
The Early Childhood (EC) Series presents six online self-paced modules that are geared towards early childhood educators, and other related professionals (e.g., developmental specialists, faculty, parents, and caregivers) who seek to further their knowledge on how to best support diverse young children (0-5 years) in a variety of settings. In this series, participants will discover evidence-based practices for helping young children develop literacy and language learning with opportunities to reflect on their instructional practices and explore additional ways to incorporate them into their EC settings.
Organization/Author: All Ohio Literacy Library
Type of Resource: Training
Publication Date: Various
Early Learning Professional Development Packages: Supporting Cognition
Early Learning Professional Development Packages: Supporting Cognition
This is a curated professional development package. The content can be used for professional learning, presentations, and coaching opportunities. Topics focus on engaging interactions and fostering learning.
Organization/Author: Cultivate Learning, University of Washington
Type of Resource: Training
Publication Date: Various
Early Learning Professional Development Packages: Language Modeling and Conversation
Early Learning Professional Development Packages: Language Modeling and Conversation
This is a curated professional development package. The content can be used for professional learning, presentations, and coaching opportunities. Topics focus on fostering language.
Organization/Author: Cultivate Learning, University of Washington
Type of Resource: Training
Publication Date: Various
Inclusion in STEM-STEM starts Now Documentary
Children with disabilities and from underserved communities are often denied STEM learning opportunities. In this 13-minute documentary, practitioners, families of children with disabilities, and people with disabilities discuss why STEM is important and how children with disabilities can engage and excel in it.
Organization/Author: STEMIE Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education
Type of Resource: Video
Publication Date: 2020
STEAM: 15-minute In-service Suite
STEAM: 15-minute In-service Suite
Explore strategies for engaging children’s natural curiosity about STEAM topics and skills in group learning settings, as well as in the home.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Type of Resource: Training
Publication Date: Unknown
Teacher Time Series: Preschool STEAM
Teacher Time Series: Preschool STEAM
In these episodes, explore how to support STEAM learning for preschoolers. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Find an overview of each STEM component and tips for using art to help children explore these concepts and skills. Learn about strategies and teaching practices to help preschoolers develop reasoning, creativity, problem-solving, and language and communication skills.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Type of Resource: Webinars
Publication Date: Unknown
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