Specific Competencies and Skills Tested in this Assessment:
Health and Safety
- Identify strategies to maintain a safe classroom and playground environment
- Understand and follow mandated reporter laws and regulations
- Understand the health needs of children
- Recognize and manage safety hazards and
Child Development and Learning
- Identify age-specific examples of executive functioning and cognitive development and identify strategies to support growth
- Identify age-specific examples of language development and identify strategies to support growth
- Identify age-specific examples of physical development and identify strategies to support growth
Social and Emotional Development
- Identify teaching techniques that encourage the development of a positive self-concept
- Demonstrate understanding of behavior that is typical for children at different developmental levels
- Recognize the factors that impact social and emotional development
- Identify caregiving techniques that develop age-appropriate social skills
Community and Family Relationships
- Demonstrate understanding of the importance of cooperative relationships with families
- Identify and plan methods of family and community involvement
- Identify, understand, and value the diversity of family structures
Professionalism
- Demonstrate understanding of the importance of consent and boundaries in the classroom
- Identify emotional activators
- Recognize the importance of collaboration, confidentiality, and respect for all adults and children
- Demonstrate understanding of ethical work habits
Learning Environment
- Identify characteristics of a positive, healthy, accessible, inclusive, and culturally welcoming environment
- Demonstrate understanding of the methodology behind classroom arrangement
- Recognize how flexible schedules, routines, and daily transitions meet the needs of children
- Identify strategies for providing culturally and individually responsive learning opportunities
Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) and Play-Based Learning
- Demonstrate understanding of the importance of developing a child’s approach to learning
- Identify the key aspects and benefits of Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) and play-based learning
- Demonstrate understanding of differences in cultural backgrounds regarding play
- Recognize the importance of play and the elements of intentional play
Diversity in Early Learning
- Identify components of a diverse, multicultural curriculum
- Recognize that affirming diversity within the classroom is an essential aspect of whole child development
- Identify strategies to include representation in the classroom
- Recognize how personal bias/culture/experiences may influence practice
Inclusion of Children with Diverse Abilities
- Identify the role of a teacher in supporting children with exceptionalities
- Identify examples of inclusion, exclusion, segregation, and integration
- Identify strategies for learning opportunities that are inclusive of all children in developmental domains
Guiding Behavior
- Recognize positive, respectful, culturally responsive approaches to guidance
- Recognize how all behavior is communication
- Identify skills needed to support children in increasing social competence
- Recognize that positive relationships are the foundation for working with children
Observation, Documentation, and Assessment
- Demonstrate understanding of the purpose and value of observation and documentation
- Demonstrate understanding of the importance of communicating children’s observation and assessment information to families in a culturally and
linguistically sensitive and supportive manner - Recognize the difference between objective and subjective observations
Written Assessment:
Administration Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Number of Questions: 135
Areas Covered:
Health and Safety: 9%
Child Development and Learning: 10%
Social and Emotional Development: 10%
Community and Family Relationships: 7%
Professionalism: 10%
Learning Environment: 10%
Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) and Play-Based Learning: 10%
Diversity in Early Learning: 9%
Inclusion of Children with Diverse Abilities: 7%
Guiding Behavior: 10%
Observation, Documentation, and Assessment: 8%
Sample Questions:
When children of different ages are combined, the staff-to-child ratio and maximum group size must be based on the
A. number of exits
B. youngest child
C. oldest child
D. director
The most rapid brain development occurs
A. during the first 3 years of life
B. during the prenatal period
C. when the child learns to read
D. when the child start school
A teacher might facilitate a play-planning conversation in the dramatic play area to
A. redirect children to a quieter activity
B. ensure each child has a turn with the most popular props
C. address persistent bickering among children
D. limit the number of children allowed to participate in play
Inviting local service providers to talk about their jobs is a way to
A. teach children about families
B. teach children about their community
C. introduce safety rules
D. explore cultural differences
The most important principle of the NAEYC Code of Ethics is that the needs of the _____ come first.
A. children
B. colleagues
C. community
D. families
Performance Assessment:
Administration Time: 45 minutes
Number of Jobs: 5
Areas Covered:
20% Demonstrate Washing of Caregiver’s Hands
Participants will correctly wash their hands.
20% Introduction Activity
Participants will complete and introduction activity.
25% Story Presentation
Participants will complete a story presentation.
20% Gross Motor Stretching Activity
Participants will complete a gross motor stretching activity.
15% Closure Activity
Participants will complete a closure activity.
Sample Job:
Demonstrate Washing of a Caregiver’s Hands
Maximum Time: 5 minutes
Participant Activity: The participant will demonstrate the appropriate handwashing for a caregiver, using liquid soap and paper towels, at a sink area with running water. The evaluator will grade on the proper steps of handwashing.