Core Knowledge Content Standards
Level
Requirements
| 1 | 2
| 3 | 4
| 5 | 6
| 7 |
Level Three
The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential has been awarded
since the 1970's by the Council for Early Childhood Professional
Recognition. The CDA Competency Standards define the skills needed
by providers in most settings-infant/toddler, school age, home and
center based, home visitor, and bilingual specialists - and serve
as a means for measuring the overall performance of practitioners
and providers during the CDA assessment.
A CDA Credential is valid for three years. A CDA holder
can apply for renewal of credential, which is then valid for an
additional five years.
| Statement
of Content |
|
Practitioners will complete training and courses that build
on previous knowledge and understanding. Each CDA Competency
Goal has functional Areas as outlined in the CDA assessment
guide. Practitioners will be observed by their CDA advisor
for competence in each of the thirteen functional areas. There
are four options for Assessment: Infant/Toddler, Preschool,
Family Child Care and Home Visitor. There is also a Spanish/English
bilingual certification offered in conjunction with any of
the four options. |
1. Safe Environment |
- Ensure Proper Working Order of All Safety Equipment
- Conduct Regular Safety Checks
- Involve Children in Learning About Safety
- Recognize Signs and Symptoms of Child Abuse and Neglect
- Effectively Supervise Children
|
2. Healthy Environment |
- Conduct Regular Health Checks
- Demonstrate and Model Good Health Habits
- Plan a Balanced and Nutritional Program
- Recognize Communicative Diseases and Infection
- Respond Affectionately and Appropriately
- Guide and Facilitate Children’s Thinking
|
3. Learning Environment |
- Arrange Physical Space
- Organize Indoor and Outdoor Space
- Adapt Environment
- Plan Effective and Smooth Schedules
- Balance Activity Choices
- Include Cultural Materials and Activities
|
4. Physical Development |
- Offer a Variety of Opportunities
- Plan Activities for Indoor and Outdoor Environments
- Observe and Evaluate Children’s Physical Development
- Incorporate Cultural Games and Music
- Adapt Physical Activities
|
5. Cognitive Development |
- Facilitate Children’s Construction of Knowledge
- Plan an Integrated Curriculum
- Support Children’s Social Interactions
- Promote Purposeful and Enriched Play
- Promote Children’s Critical Thinking
- Recognize Individual Variations
|
6. Communication Development |
- Recognize and Plan Developmental Sequences
- Stimulate Language
- Respect, Value, and Incorporate Individual’s Home
Language and Culture
- Model and Reflect Children’s Language and Conversation
Skills
- Respond and Listen to all Attempts at Communication
- Observe and Assess Language Development
|
7. Creative Development |
- Support Development of Children’s Creative Impulses
- Offer Creative Experiences and Activities
- Encourage Individual Expression
- Provide Unstructured, Messy, Open-Ended Materials
- Value Family and Cultural Traditions
- Provide Indoor and Outdoor Time and Space
|
8. Self Development |
- Accept and Respect Individual Children
- Incorporate Children in Daily Activities
- Convey Affection to All Children
- Support Awareness of Each Child’s Membership in
a Family, Ethnic, or Cultural Group
- Assist Child in Recognizing and Appreciating Racial,
Ethnic, and Ability Differences
- Understand and Recognize the Adverse Affects of Child
Abuse and Neglect
|
9. Social Development |
- Facilitate Communication Skills
- Identify and Incorporate the Stages of Social Development
- Incorporate Family and Cultural Social Norms
- Model and Facilitate Appropriate Social Skills and Respect
- Respond in an Affectionate and Calming Manner
- Encourage a Developing Sense of Empathy, Caring, and
Acceptance of Others
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10. Guidance |
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11. Families |
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12. Program Management |
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13. Professionalism |
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