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!
Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework
It all begins with an idea.
Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework
The Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five (ELOF) presents five broad areas of early learning, referred to as central domains. The framework is designed to show the continuum of learning for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. It is grounded in comprehensive research around what young children should know and be able to do during their early years.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Type of Resource: Toolkit
Publication Date: 2024
List of Early Learning Standards by State
It all begins with an idea.
List of Early Learning Standards by State
This is a list of the Early Learning Standards by State. Many of these, depending on how they are organized, include information on development in various domains and content areas, with suggested teaching strategies.
Organization/Author: Brightwheel
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2024
Cultural Perspectives on Child Development
It all begins with an idea.
Cultural Perspectives on Child Development
Real Families brings you stories of modern day family life from around the world through the eyes of children, parents, and parenting experts.
Organization/Author: Real Families
Type of Resource: Video
Publication Date: 2018
Individualism vs Collectivism: Why it Matters in the Classroom Video
It all begins with an idea.
Individualism vs Collectivism: Why it Matters in the Classroom Video
A video that explores individualism and collectivism, and why it matters in the classroom.
Organization/Author: Tolentino Teaching
Type of Resource: Video
Publication Date: unknown
Culture and Parenting Handout
It all begins with an idea.
This 10 page handout discusses parenting domains and the influence on culture.
Organization/Author: Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board
Type of Resource: Report
Publication Date: unknown
TED Talk: What do Babies Think
It all begins with an idea.
TED Talk: What do Babies Think
"Babies and young children are like the R&D division of the human species," says psychologist Alison Gopnik. Her research explores the sophisticated intelligence-gathering and decision-making that babies are really doing when they play.
Organization/Author: Alison Gopnik, TED Talk
Type of Resource: Video
Publication Date: 2011
TEDTalk: What we learn before we're born
It all begins with an idea.
TEDTalk: What we learn before we're born
When does learning begin? Answer: Before we are born. In this 20 minute Ted Talk, science writer Annie Murphy Paul talks through new research that shows how much we learn in the womb -- from the lilt of our native language to our soon-to-be-favorite foods.
Organization/Author: Annie Murphy Paul, TED Talk
Type of Resource: Video
Publication Date: 2011
Developing Social and Emotional Intelligence in Young Children: Seven Skills for School Success
It all begins with an idea.
Developing Social and Emotional Intelligence in Young Children: Seven Skills for School Success
This 60 minute edWebinar provides information, activities, and experiences that develop the seven skills children need in order to become successful learners. These include the ability to relate to and play with others, express feelings, and understand how others feel.
Organization/Author: Jody Martin, Frog Street
Type of Resource: Webinar
Publication Date: 2020
Crying and Laughing: The Emotional Development of Infants and Toddlers
Link: https://media.edweb.net/edWebinar/?view=20201028edweb32
A 60 minute recording of an overview of the book, Crying and Laughing: the Emotional Development of Infants and Toddlers.
Organization/Author: Dr. Donna Sasse Wittmer, Gryphon House Webinar
Type of Resource: Webinar
Publication Date: 2020
Rocking and Rolling. Nurturing Infants and Toddlers with Diverse Language Experiences
Link: https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/may2020/rocking-and-rolling
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: Karen Nemeth, Young Children, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2020
Rocking and Rolling. Caring for the Mental Health of Infants and Toddlers
Link: https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/spring2021/mental-health-infants-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 L. Rescheke, Young Children, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2021
Rocking and Rolling: DAP in Action in an Infant-Toddler Setting
Link: https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/spring2022/rocking-and-rolling
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,Young Children, NAEYC
Type of Resource: Article
Publication Date: 2022
Emergent Writing
It all begins with an idea.
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
NAEYC’s Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) Position Statement (full document)
NAEYC’s Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) Position Statement (full document)
This position statement, one of five foundational documents developed by NAEYC in collaboration with the early childhood profession to advance high-quality early learning for all young children, defines the term, “developmentally appropriate practice.” The definition emerges from a set of evidence-based core considerations and principles of child development and learning, all of which are explained in the principles section of this statement. To support educators’ use of developmentally appropriate practice, this statement also identifies guidelines for decision making in six key areas of responsibility that correspond to the Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators.
Organization/Author: NAEYC
Type of Resource: Position Statement
Publication Date: 2020
NAEYC’s Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education Position Statement Recommendations for Early Childhood Educators: (full document)
advancingequitypositionstatement.pdf
This position statement is one of five foundational documents NAEYC has developed in collaboration with the early childhood profession. With its specific focus on advancing equity in early childhood education, this statement complements and supports the other foundational documents that (1) define developmentally appropriate practice, (2) set professional standards and competencies for early childhood educators, (3) define the profession’s code of ethics, and (4) outline standards for early learning programs.
Organization/Author: NAEYC
Type of Resource: Position Statement
Publication Date: 2019
Alliance for Early Success Website
Alliance for Early Success Website
The Alliance for Early Success is a national nonprofit that works with early childhood policy advocates at the state level to ensure that every child, birth through eight, has an equal opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.
Organization/Author: Alliance for Early Success
Type of Resource: Website
Publication Date: unknown
Understanding Implicit Bias and Its Role in Early Learning Environments Webinar
Understanding Implicit Bias and Its Role in Early Learning Environments Webinar
Racial inequities have long been present in our educational system. Recently, there has been a growing emphasis on the role of implicit bias in how programs discipline children, implement classroom practices, and establish teacher-child relationships. This session aims to support early childhood professionals in reducing implicit biases and using culturally responsive practices.
Organization/Author: Jen Neitzel, PhD, Megan Vinh, PhD, Ebonyse Mead, Division for Early Childhood at the Council for Exceptional Children (DEC)
Type of Resource: Training
Publication Date: unknown
DEC Position Statement on Ethical Practice
DEC Position Statement on Ethical Practice
The Position Statement on Ethical Practice for the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children is a public statement of principles and practice guidelines supported by the mission of DEC.
Organization/Author: Division for Early Childhood at the Council for Exceptional Children (DEC)
Type of Resource: Position Statement
Publication Date: 2022
DEC Position Statement: The Role of Special Instruction in Early Intervention
DEC Position Statement: The Role of Special Instruction in Early Intervention
The purpose of this position statement is to clarify the role of the service,
Special Instruction, and its providers (referred to as “early intervention educators” in this paper) within the broader field of IDEA (2004) Part C early intervention (EI).
Organization/Author: Division for Early Childhood at the Council for Exceptional Children (DEC)
Type of Resource: Position Statement
Publication Date: 2024
CONNECT Module 3: Communication for Collaboration
CONNECT Module 3: Communication for Collaboration
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. Learn about effective communication practices that can be used to promote collaboration with professionals and families in early care and education, and intervention settings.
Organization/Author: CONNECT: The Center to Mobilize Early Childhood Knowledge and DEC
Type of Resource: Module
Publication Date: Unknown
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