Core Body of Knowledge
New York State's Core Competencies for Early Childhood Educators
Core Body of Knowledge
NY's Core Competencies for Early Childhood Educators
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Competency Description
The professional working with young children applies practices that encourage positive health behaviors and support the physical and mental well-being of children and families
Behaviors & Skills
a
Posts routines and reminders such as emergency plans, hand washing techniques, diapering instructions, etc.
b
Collects a developmental health history from families for each child that covers topics like physical health, self-care skills, and social relationships
c
Establishes good health routines including tooth brushing, serving only healthy foods, and hand washing
d
Makes drinking water available to children throughout the day
e
Provides children with at least 120 minutes of gross motor activity (for children attending a full day program) each day through both structured and unstructured play
f
Gives children opportunities to play outside every day
g
When children cannot play outside because of weather or air quality conditions, arranges for indoor gross motor activities
h
Maintains a quiet, calm atmosphere during rest time for children each day
i
Ensures that children under 2 years have no screen time (TV, computers, DVDs, etc.) and that children 2-5 years have no more than 30 minutes once a week of high quality, education or movement-focused, commercial free programming, and never during meal or nap times
j
Conducts daily checks of children's health and emotional well-being
k
Models acceptance, helps children understand similarities and differences among people, and how to interact with all kinds of people
l
Recognizes the importance of a child's secure home base, and facilitates families' access to applicable resources for consultation about nutrition, emergencies, diagnoses, treatments and other information
m
Creates a psychologically safe environment for all children and families
n
Explains reasons for health-related rules to children
o
Communicates with families each day about how their child ate, drank, slept, behaved, and voided, particularly in infant/toddler settings
p
Creates a mutually respectful environment, and encourages families to ask questions and express concerns