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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

  • 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.

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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!

Standard 1, Topic: Play, Topic: Reflective Practices, Topic: Anti-bias Education, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Multilingual Learners, Topic: Family Diversity, Resource Type: Textbook, Resource Type: Open Educational Resource (OER), Standard 6 Kadisha Conteh Standard 1, Topic: Play, Topic: Reflective Practices, Topic: Anti-bias Education, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Multilingual Learners, Topic: Family Diversity, Resource Type: Textbook, Resource Type: Open Educational Resource (OER), Standard 6 Kadisha Conteh

OER Textbook: The Role of Equity and Diversity in Early Childhood Education

OER Textbook: The Role of Equity and Diversity in Early Childhood Education

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 covers a broad range of topics related to equity, diversity, and justice in the field of early childhood education. 

Click here to learn more about the OER Collection from College of the Canyons. 

Organization/Author: Krischa Esquivel, Emily Elam, Jennifer Paris, and Maricela Tafoya, College of the Canyons OER Collection

Type of Resource: Book, Open Educational Resource (OER)

Publication Date: 2020

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Standard 1, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Resource Type: Video Kadisha Conteh Standard 1, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Resource Type: Video Kadisha Conteh

The Voices of Children Documentary 

The Voices of Children Documentary 

“The Voices of Children” is a short documentary film created by an international team of educators and filmmakers, including John Nimmo. The 23 minute film is a call to action to create a more inclusive and complex conception of human rights through listening to and observing young children in diverse contexts around the globe. The film is available to families, educators, advocates, and policy-makers as a provocation to reflect, dialogue and take action. A Facilitator’s Guide is available. 

Organization/Author: World Forum Foundation 

Type of Resource: Video

Publication Date: 2017

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Standard 1, Standard 2, Standard 3, Standard 4, Standard 6, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Resource Type: Position Statement Kadisha Conteh Standard 1, Standard 2, Standard 3, Standard 4, Standard 6, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Resource Type: Position Statement Kadisha Conteh

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

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Standard 1, Standard 4, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Resource Type: Article Kadisha Conteh Standard 1, Standard 4, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Resource Type: Article Kadisha Conteh

Planning for Individuality in Preschool Spaces

Planning for Individuality in Preschool Spaces

Children enter preschool with a variety of knowledge, experiences, and abilities. As part of developmentally appropriate practice (DAP), early childhood educators are called to individualize their teaching strategies and curricula to meet these specific needs and contexts. This article explores what this looks like in practice. 

Organization/Author:  Jessica Grione-Hopkins and Christina Mirtes, Teaching Young Children, NAEYC

Type of Resource: Article

Publication Date: 2024

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Standard 1, Standard 4, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies, Topic: Children with Disabilities/Delays, Resource Type: Training Kadisha Conteh Standard 1, Standard 4, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Teaching Skills and Strategies, Topic: Children with Disabilities/Delays, Resource Type: Training Kadisha Conteh

Highly Individualized Teaching and Learning

Highly Individualized Teaching and Learning 

This training series focuses on individualizing, including curriculum modifications and embedded learning. 

Organization/Author:  Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)

Type of Resource: Training

Publication Date: 2020

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Standard 1, Standard 4, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Multilingual Learners, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Resource Type: Video Collection with Reflection Questions Kadisha Conteh Standard 1, Standard 4, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Multilingual Learners, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Resource Type: Video Collection with Reflection Questions Kadisha Conteh

Supporting Individual Needs Video Collection

Supporting Individual Needs Video Collection  

The videos and resources provide ideas and guidance on how to differentiate for student's unique needs and support their learning and development in the early childhood classroom.

Organization/Author:  Center for Early Childhood Education at Eastern Connecticut University 

Type of Resource: Video Collection with Reflection Questions

Publication Date: unknown

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Standard 1, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Multilingual Learners, Topic: Play, Resource Type: Video Collection with Reflection Questions Kadisha Conteh Standard 1, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Multilingual Learners, Topic: Play, Resource Type: Video Collection with Reflection Questions Kadisha Conteh

Supporting Language and Literacy Video Collection

Supporting Language and Literacy Video Collection 

The videos and resources below illustrate these and other strategies and ideas for supporting young children's language development and early literacy skills.

Organization/Author:  Center for Early Childhood Education at Eastern Connecticut University 

Type of Resource: Video Collection with Reflection Questions

Publication Date: unknown

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Standard 1, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Play, Resource Type: Video Collection with Reflection Questions Kadisha Conteh Standard 1, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Play, Resource Type: Video Collection with Reflection Questions Kadisha Conteh

Supporting Children’s Physical Development Video Collection

Supporting Children’s Physical Development Video Collection 

The videos and resources illustrate strategies and ideas for supporting young children's physical development.

Organization/Author:  Center for Early Childhood Education at Eastern Connecticut University 

Type of Resource: Video Collection with Reflection Questions

Publication Date: unknown

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Standard 1, Resource Type: Video Collection with Reflection Questions, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Play Kadisha Conteh Standard 1, Resource Type: Video Collection with Reflection Questions, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Play Kadisha Conteh

Supporting Cognitive Development Video Collection

Supporting Cognitive  Development Video Collection  

The videos and resources illustrate the important role that early childhood providers play in supporting children's cognitive development. 

Organization/Author:  Center for Early Childhood Education at Eastern Connecticut University 

Type of Resource: Video Collection with Reflection Questions

Publication Date: unknown

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Standard 1, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Resource Type: Video Collection with Reflection Questions Kadisha Conteh Standard 1, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Resource Type: Video Collection with Reflection Questions Kadisha Conteh

Supporting Social and Emotional Development Video Collection

Supporting Social and Emotional Development Video Collection  

The videos and resources below provide ideas and guidance in supporting children's healthy social and emotional development.

Organization/Author:  Center for Early Childhood Education at Eastern Connecticut University 

Type of Resource: Video Collection with Reflection Questions

Publication Date: unknown

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Standard 1, Standard 4, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Brain Development, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Topic: Play, Resource Type: Toolkit Kadisha Conteh Standard 1, Standard 4, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Brain Development, Topic: Relationships and Interactions, Topic: Play, Resource Type: Toolkit Kadisha Conteh

Brain-Building Through Play: Activities for Infants, Toddlers, and Children

Brain-Building Through Play: Activities for Infants, Toddlers, and Children

This handout series, developed with support from the LEGO Foundation, provides suggestions for games and play-based activities based on a child’s age. The activities for younger children are designed for adults to engage in with children. Activities for later ages allow the adults to step back, enabling children’s independence to blossom as they transition to playing more often with peers.

Organization/Author: Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University  

Type of Resource: Toolkits

Publication Date: unknown

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Standard 1, Standard 3, Resource Type: Training, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Assessment Methods and Tools, Topic: Early Intervention, Topic: Children with Disabilities/Delays Kadisha Conteh Standard 1, Standard 3, Resource Type: Training, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Assessment Methods and Tools, Topic: Early Intervention, Topic: Children with Disabilities/Delays Kadisha Conteh

Watch Me! Celebrating Milestones and Sharing Concerns

Watch Me! Celebrating Milestones and Sharing Concerns

This FREE, online training course, Watch Me! Celebrating Milestones and Sharing Concerns, helps you fulfill this role by providing tools and best practices for monitoring the development of children in your care and talking about it with their parents.

This 1-hour, 4-module course focuses on:

  • Why monitoring children’s development is important

  • Why you have a unique and important role in developmental monitoring

  • How to easily monitor each child’s developmental milestones

  • How to talk with parents about their child’s development

Organization/Author:  CDC

Type of Resource: Training 

Publication Date: 2024

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Resource Type: Textbook, Standard 1, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Resource Type: Open Educational Resource (OER) Kadisha Conteh Resource Type: Textbook, Standard 1, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Resource Type: Open Educational Resource (OER) Kadisha Conteh

OER Textbook: Understanding the Whole Child: Prenatal Development through Adolescence textbook 

OER Textbook: Understanding the Whole Child: Prenatal Development through Adolescence textbook 

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 text is a presentation of how and why children grow, develop, and learn.

We will look at how we change physically over time from conception through adolescence. We examine cognitive change, or how our ability to think and remember changes over the first 20 years or so of life. And we will look at how our emotions, psychological state, and social relationships change throughout childhood and adolescence.

Click here to learn more about the OER Collection from College of the Canyons. 

Organization/Author:  Jennifer Paris, Antoinette Ricardo, and Dawn Rymond, College of the Canyons OER Collection

Type of Resource: textbook, Open Educational Resource (OER)

Publication Date: 2019

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Standard 1, Resource Type: Website, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice Kadisha Conteh Standard 1, Resource Type: Website, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice Kadisha Conteh

Parenting Counts

Parenting Counts

Parenting Counts is a research-based resource developed to support parents and caregivers in raising socially and emotionally healthy children. Our approach is to provide parents, caregivers, and early learning professionals with information they can trust, understand, and use in their daily interactions with children.

Organization/Author:  Talaris Institute 

Type of Resource: Website

Publication Date: 2024

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Standard 1, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Brain Development, Resource Type: Article Kadisha Conteh Standard 1, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Brain Development, Resource Type: Article Kadisha Conteh

Early Experiences Build the Brain

Early Experiences Build the Brain

We now know that when brain architecture has a strong foundation in the early years, infants and toddlers are more likely to be robust learners throughout their lives. In this News You Can Use, we explore how the connections within the brain are created and made strong, the negative impact of chronic stress at an early age, and how caring adults can help even in difficult situations. This information may be useful to parents, families, teachers, home visitors, policy makers, and anyone who works with or for infants and toddlers.

Organization/Author:  Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)

Type of Resource: Article

Publication Date: 2024

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Standard 1, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Multilingual Learners, Resource Type: Modules Kadisha Conteh Standard 1, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Multilingual Learners, Resource Type: Modules Kadisha Conteh

Bilingual Language Development

Bilingual Language Development

Learn about how children develop two or more languages and the benefits of being bilingual. 

Organization/Author:  University of Washington: Institute for Learning and Brain Science

Type of Resource: Module

Publication Date: unknown

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Standard 1, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Brain Development, Topic: Multilingual Learners, Resource Type: Article Kadisha Conteh Standard 1, Topic: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Topic: Brain Development, Topic: Multilingual Learners, Resource Type: Article Kadisha Conteh

The Brain Science of Bilingualism

The Brain Science of Bilingualism

Studies show that the infant brain is adept at learning two languages and that infancy and early childhood represent the best possible time to do so. This article explains why babies are so good at language learning.

Organization/Author:  Naja Ferjan Ramirez and Patricia Kuhl, Young Children, NAEYC

Type of Resource: Article

Publication Date: 2017

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Additional Resources

About the Resource Library &

The Professional Standards & Competencies for Early Childhood Educators