The common elements define what all early childhood professionals must know and be able to do, including: • demonstrate an understanding of child development and apply this knowledge in practice;• observe and assess children’s behavior in planning and individualizing teaching practices and curriculum; • establish and maintain a safe and healthy environment for children; • plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum that advances all areas of children’s learning and development, including social, emotional, intellectual, and physical competence; • establish supportive relationships with children and implement developmentally appropriate techniques of guidance and group management; • establish and maintain positive and productive relation- ships with families;
• support the development and learning of individual children, recognizing that children are best understood in the context of family, culture, and society; and • demonstrate an understanding of the early childhood profession and make a commitment to professionalism.