CBK TOPIC AREAS
While Core Body of Knowledge (CBK) topic areas are not currently a mandated training requirement, they provide a framework outlining the knowledge, skills, and competencies early childhood professionals should develop to support high-quality care and education for children and families. The CBK is organized into seven Core Competency Areas that highlight key elements of professional practice and development.
The 2024 edition of the Core Body of Knowledge is complemented by the “Primary Competencies for Early Childhood Educators: A Practitioner’s Companion to the Core Body of Knowledge”, a resource for early childhood teachers, caregivers, and other educators. The Primary Competencies organize the fundamental capabilities required for effective early childhood caregiving and teaching into a simple, easy-to-remember structure.
The primary competencies are organized into three broad categories:
01
Professional Knowledge
What early childhood educators KNOW about how children develop and learn
Effective teaching begins with an understanding of how children develop and learn. Early childhood educators understand how children develop skills and abilities, including their physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language development, and how they learn in content areas, including literacy, math, science, social studies, technology, and the arts. Professional knowledge helps educators make decisions about how to care for and teach young children.
02
Professional Practice
What early childhood educators DO with their knowledge of child development and learning
Effective teaching involves putting knowledge into action. Early childhood educators use their knowledge to create safe, supportive learning environments; organize space, materials, schedules, and routines; observe and keep track of children’s development; and plan meaningful learning experiences. Professional practice helps children feel supported and ready to learn.
03
Professional Engagement
HOW early childhood educators work with others and keep improving
Effective teaching also involves building strong relationships with colleagues and families. Early childhood educators collaborate with families, colleagues, and community partners to do their best work for children. Regular reflective inquiry helps early childhood educators apply their learning and continue growing professionally. Professional engagement helps educators improve their practice.
CBK 7 Topic Areas
The topics outline a set of professional competencies that support high-quality early childhood practice. While these topic areas represent best practices for professionals working with young children and families, not every CBK area will apply equally to all caregiving environments or job roles. The relevance of certain competencies may vary depending on the program setting, the ages of children served, and individual staff responsibilities.
01 | Core Competencies: 1.0 – 1.19
Child Development and Learning in Context
Training focuses on understanding how children grow, learn, and develop within the context of their families, cultures, and communities. Topics may include developmental milestones, individual differences in learning, the impact of relationships and environments on development, supporting children with diverse needs, and using knowledge of child development to guide caregiving and teaching practices.
02 | Core Competencies: 2.0 – 2.2
Family and Community Engagement
Training focuses on building strong partnerships with families and connecting programs with community resources that support children’s development and well-being. Topics may include effective communication with families, respecting diverse family structures and cultures, collaborating with caregivers, supporting family involvement in learning, and connecting families to community supports and services.
03 | Core Competencies: 3.0 – 3.7
Observation and Assessment
Training focuses on using observation and assessment to better understand children’s development, learning, and individual needs. Topics may include documenting children’s learning through observation, using assessment tools appropriately, interpreting developmental information, and using collected information to inform caregiving strategies, curriculum planning, and individualized support for children.
04 | Core Competencies: 4.0 – 4.11
Learning Environment
Training focuses on creating safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate environments that support children’s learning and well-being. Topics may include organizing classroom space and materials, managing routines and transitions, supporting positive behavior, fostering a supportive social-emotional climate, and creating inclusive environments where all children feel valued and supported.
05 | Core Competencies: 5.0 – 5.12
Curriculum and Teaching
Training focuses on planning and implementing meaningful learning experiences that support children’s development across all domains. Topics may include developmentally appropriate teaching strategies, planning activities that promote exploration and play, supporting early literacy and math development, adapting curriculum to meet individual needs, and guiding children’s learning through intentional interactions and experiences.
06 | Core Competencies: 6.0 – 6.2
Health, Safety, and Nutrition
Training focuses on practices that protect and promote children’s physical health, safety, and overall well-being. Topics may include safe sleep practices, illness prevention, nutrition and healthy eating habits, sanitation procedures, emergency preparedness, supervision practices, and creating environments that support children’s physical health and safety.
07 | Core Competencies: 7.0 – 7.5
Professional Engagement
Training focuses on supporting the professional growth and responsibilities of early childhood professionals. Topics may include reflective practice, ethical responsibilities, collaboration with colleagues and community partners, professional communication, maintaining confidentiality, and strategies for ongoing professional development and leadership within early childhood programs.
