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!
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
Routines-Based Planning for Infants and Toddlers
Routines-Based Planning for Infants and Toddlers
The purpose of this module is to provide trainers and participants with information about using typical routines as the context for assessment and planning for infants and toddlers with disabilities. The module describes the practice of Routines-Based Assessment and Planning, the associated benefits, and step-by-step guidance for implementing routines-based assessment and planning.
Organization/Author: Head Start Center for Inclusion
Type of Resource: Training
Publication Date: Unknown
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
Think, Try, Fix, Share Inclusive Engineering with Young Children Using Universal Design Webinar
Think, Try, Fix, Share Inclusive Engineering with Young Children Using Universal Design Webinar
This recorded webinar presentation (with handouts) explains the engineering practices and problem-solving framework and then teaches how to implement them in an inclusive classroom using fun, engaging, play-based activities. The activities incorporate children’s literature as part of the problem-solving experiences to help children participate in the general education curriculum across various domains. Finally, we will show participants how to make these engineering experiences accessible to young children in an inclusive setting. This presentation will provide educators with hands-on activities using Next Generation Science Standards and specific UDL strategies that support all young children.
Note: registration is required to view webinar
Organization/Author: Angi Stone-Macdonald, Ph.D, and Amanda Lopes, Ph.D, Early Childhood Investigations
Type of Resource: Webinar
Publication Date: 2024
Building Blocks for Supporting all Children in Inclusive Settings Webinar
Building Blocks for Supporting all Children in Inclusive Settings Webinar
This webinar explores the Building Blocks Framework to support all children in the classroom. This framework includes four components: 1) A High Quality Early Childhood Environment 2) Curriculum Modifications 3) Embedded Learning Opportunities4) Child Focused Instructional Strategies. This framework is designed to work in any early learning setting (including families homes for early intervention providers) and aligns with other early childhood curriculum.
Note: registration is required to view webinar
Organization/Author: Angi Stone-Macdonald, Ph.D, and Amanda Lopes, Ph.D, Early Childhood Investigations
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
Alliance for Childhood: Video Collection
Alliance for Childhood: Video Collection
A collection of videos on play, including:
playground NYC
Pop Up Play and Loose Parts
Family Play, Family Well-Being
Prescription for Play
Playwork: An Introduction
Wetlands and Wonder
Organization/Author: Alliance for Childhood
Type of Resource: Video Collection
Publication Date: Unknown
Alliance for Childhood: Publications and Reports
Alliance for Childhood: Publications and Reports
This includes various reports about play and children’s health, play and risk, play and loose parts, playwork, recess, and technology.
Organization/Author: Alliance for Childhood
Type of Resource: Reports
Publication Date: Unknown
Alliance for Childhood: Fact Sheets on Play
Alliance for Childhood: Fact Sheets on Play
The following fact sheets are included:
Twelve Key Types of Play
Playwork and Play
Time for Play, Every Day
When Kindergarten Testing is Out of Hand
Crisis in the Kindergarten
Outdoor Play for Children
Organization/Author: Alliance for Childhood
Type of Resource: Reports
Publication Date: Unknown
Teacher Time Series: The Joy of Teaching and Learning in Preschool
Teacher Time Series: The Joy of Teaching and Learning in Preschool
These episodes highlight the joy of teaching and learning with preschool children and their families:
Playful Learning and Joyful Teaching in Preschool
Plan, Observe, Tinker, and Teach in Preschool
Highly Individualized Teaching and Learning in Preschool
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Type of Resource: Videos
Publication Date: Unknown
Teacher Time Series: The Joy of Teaching and Learning with Infants and Toddlers
Teacher Time Series: The Joy of Teaching and Learning with Infants and Toddlers
These video episodes highlight the joy of teaching and learning with infants, toddlers and their families:
Joyful and Engaging Environments for Infants and Toddlers
Plan, Observe, Tinker, and Teach with Infants and Toddlers
Highly Individualized Teaching with Infants and Toddlers
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Type of Resource: Videos
Publication Date: Unknown
Visual Supports
This high-quality collection of visuals and supports can be printed and used immediately to support young children's development and learning. Each visual support includes a guide that explains what the support is, why it might be used, and how to increase the participation, engagement, and learning of children in your learning environment.
Organization/Author: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Type of Resource: Toolkit
Publication Date: Unknown
Individualizing
Learn about individualizing to support individual learning outcomes and goals for children with disabilities. Materials include Adapting the Curriculum: Supervisors Tool, a guide for observations in the classroom; the Classroom Quality Indicators Checklist—a checklist to help supervisors determine that foundational elements of a quality classroom are in place; and Supervisor’s Guide: More About the Quality Indicators.
You’ll find practical strategies for educators and other caregivers in the Classroom Quality Indicators Checklist; Individualizing Within a Group Activity; and the Planned Instruction Form—to use when planning for an individual child in your program. The Arts & Crafts signs can be posted throughout the learning spaces to give staff ideas about what to work on while engaging with children.
Organization/Author: Head Start Center for Inclusion
Type of Resource: Training
Publication Date: Unknown
Inclusion Basics: Membership
Embedded Learning Opportunities for Infants and Toddlers
Foster belonging for young children with disabilities in inclusive early childhood settings, with support from this range of resources for educators and supervisors. Materials include a video presentation, presentation slides, video clips for asking a friend to play, print and go materials, and handouts.
Organization/Author: Head Start Center for Inclusion
Type of Resource: Training
Publication Date: Unknown
Additional Resources
