Specific Competencies and Skills Tested in this Assessment:
Health and Safety
- Identify safety hazards in and around the child care setting
- Instruct children in personal safety awareness (e.g., stranger danger, fire safety)
- Identify characteristics of common childhood diseases
- Describe universal (standard) precautions and infection control
- Explain rest and relaxation techniques
- Plan, prepare and explain the importance of nutritionally balanced meals and snacks
- Identify indicators and reporting procedures involving child abuse and neglect
Cognitive Development
- Explain cognitive development stages and how they correlate to social, emotional, and physical development
- Provide examples of cognitive development
- Describe equipment and activities that promote cognitive development
- List learning opportunities and conditions that develop creative and critical thinking
- Recognize the factors that impact brain development
- Identify important theories and research involving cognitive development
Language Development and Communication
- Describe the stages of language development
- Describe strategies to encourage expressive and receptive language
- List materials that encourage and support literacy skills
- Demonstrate effective literacy strategies
- List various methods of story presentation
- Describe the factors affecting language development
Physical Development
- Explain the stages of fine and gross motor development
- Recognize the factors that impact physical development
- Describe strategies and conditions that encourage physical development
- Select age-appropriate indoor and outdoor play equipment for physical development
- Describe the effects of play on children’s physical development
- Explain how physical development correlates to social, emotional, and cognitive development
Social and Emotional Development
- Discuss teaching techniques that encourage the development of a positive self-concept
- Describe the stages of social and emotional development of children
- Recognize the factors that impact social and emotional development
- Discuss caregiving techniques that develop appropriate social skills
- Identify positive techniques for conflict resolution and mediation
- List strategies to promote self-help skills
Community and Family Relationships
- Describe the importance of cooperative relationships with families
- Identify and plan methods of family and community involvement
- Describe the components of effective school and home communication
Observation, Documentation, and Assessment
- Identify observation purposes, techniques, and tools
- Observe and record children’s developmental learning
- Interpret, communicate and apply observation results
Professionalism
- Identify career-related skills and employment opportunities
- Identify resources for professional development
- Recognize the need for self-assessment for continued professional growth
- Explain the role of a child advocate
- Identify the importance and legal mandates of confidentiality
- Exhibit appropriate characteristics in an educational team setting
- Apply the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct to professional practices
Classroom Organization and Arrangement
- Arrange an age-appropriate classroom environment
- Prepare and maintain materials and equipment storage
- Identify characteristics of a balanced daily schedule
- Implement developmentally appropriate activities
- Describe a variety of transition-time activities
- Demonstrate awareness of licensing laws and regulations
- Identify recordkeeping and clerical functions in a child care setting
Creativity
- Identify strategies for facilitating creative experiences
- Display or present creative products
- Identify appropriate materials and equipment that encourage creative development
- Explain sensory activities and supporting materials
Diversity in the Classroom
- Identify components of a diverse/multicultural curriculum
- Display awareness of diversities in family structures
- Describe ways to incorporate children’s home language and traditions
Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
- Identify characteristics of various types of exceptionalities
- Identify concerns and basic rights of children with special needs
- Describe the learning environment and curriculum to accommodate special needs
Positive Guidance Techniques and Reinforcement
- Demonstrate positive adult-child communication
- Identify positive classroom management
- Identify child guidance techniques
Written Assessment:
Administration Time: 3 hours
Number of Questions: 193
Areas Covered:
Health and Safety: 11%
Cognitive Development: 9%
Language Development and Communication: 9%
Physical Development: 9%
Social and Emotional Development: 9%
Community and Family Relationships: 5%
Observation, Documentation and Assessment: 4%
Professionalism: 11%
Classroom Organizational Arrangement: 12%
Creativity: 6%
Diversity in the Classroom: 5%
Inclusion of Children with Special Needs: 4%
Positive Guidance Techniques and Reinforcement: 6%
Sample Questions:
The most rapid brain development occurs
A. during the first three years of life
B. when the child starts school
C. when the child learns to read
D. during the prenatal period
During storytelling, infants and toddlers generally respond more to
A. sounds
B. unfamiliar objects
C. familiar objects
D. eye contact
At age 3, the child will say his/her first name and last name. This child is showing signs of _________ development.
A. physical
B. sensory
C. creative
D. identity
Parent-teacher conferences are important because they encourage
A. fixing family problems
B. family involvement
C. children’s involvement
D. family complaints
A science center should include
A. paste and construction paper
B. magnets, rocks, and shells
C. dolls and a kitchen set
D. cards, string, and beads
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.