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!
Play-responsiveness as a Teaching Practice: Using The Original Learning Approach Webinar
Play-responsiveness as a Teaching Practice: Using The Original Learning Approach Webinar
In this recorded webinar, early childhood care and education expert Suzanne Axelsson explores how weaving wonder, curiosity, joy, knowledge, imagination, interaction, risk, time, reflection, and listening can bring teaching closer to a state of play.
Note: registration is required to view webinar
Organization/Author: Suzanne Axelsson, Ph.D, Early Childhood Investigations
Type of Resource: Webinar
Publication Date: 2023
How to Build Autonomy in Early Childhood Classrooms
How to Build Autonomy in Early Childhood Classrooms
This video explores how establishing predictable routines and clear roles in preschool helps even the youngest students grow in their ability to make decisions, take on responsibilities, and accomplish tasks independently.
Organization/Author: Amanda Armstrong, Edutopia
Type of Resource: Video
Publication Date: 2023
Where Community Meets Curriculum: Equitable Strategies in the Classroom Webinar
Where Community Meets Curriculum: Equitable Strategies in the Classroom Webinar
This edWebinar explores the concept of revolutionary love and how teachers can use this knowledge to create a classroom community that affirms and celebrates all students’ identities, languages, and cultures. Viewers reflect on their perception of loving pedagogies and the necessity of integrating revolutionary love into teaching practices.
Organization/Author: Dr. Eliza Braden, and Dr. Sanjuana Rodriguez, edWeb Webinar
Type of Resource: Webinar
Publication Date: 2023
Cultivating Calm: Self-Regulation Strategies to Support Children with Big Emotions and Challenging Behaviors Webinar
This recorded edWebinar explores ways to nurture and support the development of self-regulation skills in the school environment with the intention of decreasing challenging behaviors.
Note: registration is required to view webinar
Organization/Author: Dr. Julie Tourigny, edWeb Webinar
Type of Resource: Webinar
Publication Date: 2024
Culture and Children’s Challenging Behavior Webinar
Culture and Children’s Challenging Behavior Webinar
Social emotional development and learning expert Barbara Kaiser explores the dynamics of culture in shaping teachers’ expectations and children’s behavior.
Note: registration is required to view webinar
Organization/Author: Barbara Kaiser, Ph.D. Early Childhood Investigations
Type of Resource: Webinar
Publication Date: 2022
Culturally Responsive Teaching in Early Childhood Education
Culturally Responsive Teaching in Early Childhood Education
This article explores four ways to validate and affirm young students’ cultures in meaningful ways, which can boost their engagement and motivation.
Organization/Author: Amanda Armstrong, Edutopia
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2020
Rocking and Rolling. Promoting Inclusion in Infant and Toddler Settings
Rocking and Rolling. Promoting Inclusion in Infant and 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: 2021
Implementing a Curriculum Responsively: Supporting Children’s Development and Learning
Implementing a Curriculum Responsively: Supporting Children’s Development and Learning
This suite describes how education staff can implement a responsive curriculum. It also highlights the importance of understanding children's development and learning. Explore the ways a curriculum guides the learning environment, learning experiences, and adult-child interactions. Consider ways to use a curriculum's guidance to support children's development and learning and promote positive child outcomes.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Type of Resource: Training
Publication Date: 2024
Early Learning Professional Development Packages: Individualized Teaching and Learning
Early Learning Professional Development Packages: Individualized Teaching and Learning
This is a curated professional development package. The content can be used for professional learning, presentations, and coaching opportunities. Topics focus on individualized teaching and learning.
Organization/Author: Cultivate Learning, University of Washington
Type of Resource: Training
Publication Date: Various
Early Childhood Behavior Management Case Study
Early Childhood Behavior Management Case Study
This Case Study includes information on how to create developmentally and culturally appropriate classroom rules and how to effectively teach them. It also explores how to encourage appropriate behavior, address challenging behavior, and partner with families to address behavioral issues.
Organization/Author: Iris Center, Vanderbilt Peabody College
Type of Resource: Module
Publication Date: Unknown
Behavior Management Module
This module, a DEC-recommended resource, includes information on how to create developmentally appropriate behavior rules for early childhood classrooms so that they link to a given school's behavior expectations. The importance of communication with families about rules and expected behaviors is also stressed (est. completion time: 2 hours).
Organization/Author: Iris Center, Vanderbilt Peabody College
Type of Resource: Module
Publication Date: Unknown
Brain Building in Process: Resources for Early Learning Set of Professional Development Trainings for 3-5 Years
Explore best practices in early education of children ages 3 to 5 years. These twelve engaging, content-rich, video-based trainings are organized by topic. Take the online 45-minute self-paced version, or download the Facilitator’s Guide to lead family child-care and center-based educators in a 1.5–2 hour training. Topics include:
Creating the Learning Environment
Engaging Children in Meaningful Conversation
Integrating Media and Technology into Curriculum
Engaging Children in Math
Providing Developmentally Appropriate Learning
Individualizing Instruction
Honoring Diversity
Getting Families Involved
Building a Community of Readers and Writers
Leading Children in Hands-on Exploration
Engaging Children in STEM
Having Fun with Phonemic Awareness
Organization/Author: Massachusetts Department of Early Education (EEC)
Type of Resource: Trainings
Publication Date: Unknown
Brain Building in Process: Resources for Early Learning Set of Professional Development Trainings for Birth-33 Months
These five engaging, content-rich, video-based trainings are organized by age. Take the online 45-minute self-paced version, or download the Facilitator’s Guide to lead family child-care and center- and school-based educators in a 1.5–2 hour training. Topics include:
The Roots of Early Learning
Supporting Young Infants’ Learning
Supporting Older Infants’ Learning
Supporting Young Toddlers’ Learning
Supporting Older Toddlers’ Learning
Organization/Author: Massachusetts Department of Early Education (EEC)
Type of Resource: Trainings
Publication Date: Unknown
The Power of Playful Learning in the Early Childhood Setting
The Power of Playful Learning in the Early Childhood Setting
This article is an excerpt from chapter 5 in Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth Through Age 8, Fourth Edition (NAEYC 2022). It explores the idea of playful learning.
Organization/Author: Jennfier M. Zosh et. al, Young Children, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2022
OER Textbook: Implementing Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP) in the Preschool Environment
OER Textbook: Implementing Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP) in the Preschool Environment
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 describes how to implement developmentally appropriate practices in an early childhood classroom. It includes information on implementing standards, building relationships, supporting diverse learners, and creating curriculum.
Organization/Author: Joan Hayden and Laura Hutton
Type of Resource: Book Chapter, Open Educational Resource (OER)
Publication Date: 2021
OER Textbook: Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children
OER Textbook: Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children
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 8 chapters that provide an overview of the history of the field of early childhood education, developmental theories, and the profession. In addition, observation, assessment, developmental ages and stages, curriculum basics, environments, and partnering with families are explored.
Click here to learn more about the OER Collection from College of the Canyons.
Organization/Author: Cindy Stephens, Gina Peterson, Sharon Eyrich, and Jennifer Paris, College of the Canyons OER Collection
Type of Resource: Book Chapter, Open Educational Resource (OER)
Publication Date: 2020
Early Childhood Recommended Practice Module 4: Teaming and Collaboration
Early Childhood Recommended Practice Module 4: Teaming and Collaboration
In this module you will learn the components of teaming and collaboration and why teaming and collaboration amongst practitioners and families is crucial for children with disabilities.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Recommended Practices
Type of Resource: Module
Publication Date: unknown
Early Childhood Recommended Practice Module 3: Environment
Early Childhood Recommended Practice Module 3: Environment
In this module you will learn the components of a child’s natural and inclusive environment and why attending to the environment is crucial for children with disabilities.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Recommended Practices
Type of Resource: Module
Publication Date: unknown
Early Childhood Recommended Practice Module 1: Interaction
Early Childhood Recommended Practice Module 1: Interaction
This module will help you learn to support children’s learning and development through quality adult-child and child-child interactions. Lesson 1 provides a summary of the research on interaction by Dr. Jeanette McCollum. In lessons 2 and 3, nonverbal and verbal cues, behaviors and interests of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers will be described. You will learn how observing children's behavior is critical in helping you interpret and provide responsive interaction with children. You will also practice using observation of a child's behavior to identify and interpret the child's interests, abilities, and emotions by watching and thinking about several video illustrations. Lesson 4 shares “Voices from the Field”, where practitioners and family leaders share their expertise and perspectives on interaction.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Recommended Practices
Type of Resource: Module
Publication Date: unknown
ECTA Practice Improvement Tools: Instruction
ECTA Practice Improvement Tools: Instruction
Instructional practices are a cornerstone of early intervention and early childhood special education. Teachers, other practitioners, family members, and other caregivers use instructional practices to maximize learning and improve developmental and functional outcomes for young children who have or are at risk for developmental delays/disabilities.This set includes instruction checklists, instruction guides for practitioners, and instruction practice guides for families.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA)
Type of Resource: Toolkits
Publication Date: various
Additional Resources
