CDA Training Materials

to help prepare CDA Candidates for assessment

• Essentials
• Field Advisor’s Guide
• Seminar Instructor’s Guide
• CDA Competency Standards Books
• Ordering information
• Recommended videotapes

All CDA Candidates must complete 120 clock hours of formal early childhood education in eight subject areas. The Council for Professional Recognition offers the following materials designed to assist instructors who provide training for CDA Candidates and classes for beginning early childhood educators.

Essentials for Child Development Associates, 2nd Edition

For over a decade, Essentials has served as a basic textbook for the formal training requirement for CDA Candidates throughout the country. The revised edition reflects current research and new trends in early childhood education. It lists new resources available for early childhood professionals and promotes use of the Internet with its vast wealth of information and support.

Note: A select list of videotapes/DVD to accompany the units of study in Essentials appear at the end of this section.

Field Advisor’s Guide

Designed to accompany Essentials 2 nd Edition, Field Advisors use this guide in their work with the CDA Candidate. It contains a series of instructions and resources to assist the Candidate in working through the units of Essentials .

Seminar Instructor’s Guide

Designed to accompany Essentials 2 nd Edition, this guide provides an overview of the Candidate's field experiences as well as the assignments that require follow-up during the Seminar phase. It also contains a description of specific topics for presentation and discussion, and suggestions for other activities.

CDA Competency Standards Books

All CDA Assessment Application Packets include the competency standards for each age group or setting. However, these competency standards books are available as stand alone documents for individuals and trainers who may not need the entire application packet. These books provide a description of the Competency Standards, 13 CDA Functional Areas, CDA Assessment process, and requirements for Candidates, Advisors, Parents, and the Council Representatives.

Ordering information for the above books

To order online, go to Bookstore—CDA Training Materials
or for
telephone, fax, or mail order instructions, print the Order Form.

Recommended Videotapes for Essentials 2nd Edition

Unit 1: Introduction to the early childhood profession

Career encounters: Early childhood education (videotape and viewer's guide). Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children. Available from www.naeyc.org .

Unit 2: Ways to study how children develop and learn

Colker, L.J. (1995) Observing young children: Learning to look, looking to learn . (Videotape and trainer's guide). Washington, DC: Teaching Strategies. Available from www.teachingstrategies.com .

Unit 3: Ways to set up a safe, healthy environment to promote learning

Dodge, D.T. & Kittredge, B. (2003). Room arrangement as a teaching strategy (Videotape and trainer's guide). Washington, DC: Teaching Strategies, Inc. Available from www.teachingstrategies.com .

Unit 4: Positive ways to support children's social and emotional development

The Child Care Collection. Ball State University. (2003). Acquiring self-regulation: Social and emotional development of infants and toddlers. (Videotape and Viewers Guide). Available from www.naeyc.org .

Unit 5: Steps to advance children's physical and intellectual competence.

Looking at the Basics of Developmentally Appropriate Practice . (2006). (Videotape or DVD). Washington, DC: NAEYC. Available from www.naeyc.org

Unit 6: Keys to establish productive relationships with families

Building bridges between teachers and families. (Videotape and viewer's guide). Seattle: WA: Harvest Resources. Available from www.ecetrainers.com or from Redleaf Press. www.redleafpress.org