The New York State Core Body of KNowledge Using the CBK to assist you in your role as an administrator

What do teachers of young children need to know and be able to do? Standards for Teachers What do teachers of young children need to know and be able to do?

Core Competency Areas Child Growth and Development Family and Community Relationships Observation and Assessment Environment and Curriculum Health, Safety and Nutrition Professionalism and Leadership Administration and Management

Unpacking each Core Competency Area: Knowledge (information or understanding) Dispositions (attitudes, beliefs, perspectives) Strategy (skill, approach or tactic)

Child Growth and Development Example: Child Growth and Development 1.1 Applies the cycle of assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation to support children’s healthy development. 1.2 Encourages children’s social and emotional development 1.3 Helps children achieve self-regulation and acquire coping skills 1.4 Supports children’s gross, fine and graphomotor development 1.5 Supports children’s cognitive development 1.6 Supports children’s language and literacy development 1.7 Encourages and supports English Language learners 1.8 Facilitates children’s play to encourage motor, cognitive, language, social and emotional development 1.9 Supports children with special needs and their families

BUT… How do we know if teachers are reaching these competencies?

The CBK lists observable behaviors and skills a teacher may demonstrate so that you can tell if the teacher is meeting that standard.

1.5 Supports Children’s cognitive Development Example: Analyzes and supports children’s symbolic play development Encourages perspective-taking Helps children learn ot problem solve Supports and provides strategies to children that enable them to communicate their understanding in a variety of modalities (speaking, visual art, drama, etc.) Plans experiences based on children’s interests and skills and asks open ended questions that encourage critical and divergent thinking Helps children to make and refine connections Helps children to develop and evaluate theories Encourages children to be enthusiastic and curious about their world and each other’s thinking.

The CBK can assist administrators (and teachers) in identifying areas of strength, areas of steady progress, and areas of opportunity for growth. The CBK will allow you to assess, reflect and plan with the teachers in your three year old classes.