Core Knowledge Content Standards

Statement of Content

Practitioners demonstrate integrated applications of core knowledge through broader ability to synthesize, analyze, modify, etc. at these levels. Excerpts taken from NAEYC Standards for Early Childhood Professional Preparation.

1. Promoting Child Development and Learning

Candidates use their understanding of young children's characteristics and needs, and of multiple interacting influences on children's development and learning, to create environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging for all children.

2. Building Family and Community Relationships

Candidates know about, understand and value the importance and complex characteristics of families and communities. They use this understanding to create respectful, reciprocal relationships that support and empower families, and to involve all families in their children's development and learning.

3. Observing, documenting, and assessing to support young children and families

Candidates know about and understand the goals, benefits, and uses of assessments. They know about and use systematic observations, documentation, and other effective assessment strategies in a responsible way, in partnership with families and other professionals, to positively influence children's development and learning.

4. Teaching and Learning

Candidates integrate their understanding of and relationships with children and families; their understanding of developmentally effective approaches to teaching and learning; and their knowledge of academic disciplines, to design, implement, and evaluate experiences that promote positive development and learning for all children.

4a. Connecting with children and families
Candidates know, understand, and use positive relationships and supportive interactions as the foundation for their work with young children.

4b. Using developmentally effective approaches
Candidates know, understand, and use a wide array of effective approaches, strategies, and tools to positively influence children's development and learning.

4c. Understanding content knowledge in early education
Candidates understand the importance of each content area in young children's learning. They know the essential concepts, inquiry tools, and structure of content areas including academic subjects and can identify resources to deepen their understanding.

4d. Building meaningful curriculum
Candidates use their own knowledge and other resources to design, implement, and evaluate meaningful, challenging curriculum that promotes comprehensive developmental and learning outcomes for all young children.

5. Becoming a Professional

Candidates identify and conduct themselves as members of the early childhood profession. They know and use ethical guidelines and other professional standards related to early childhood practice. They are continuous, collaborative