CDA Birth to Five case studies

CDA Birth to Five · Put your knowledge to work in context.

The CDA Birth to Five credential is a national early childhood credential for educators who work with children from birth through age five, including teachers, assistant teachers, and family child care providers. It is built around six competency standards: creating a safe, healthy learning environment; advancing physical and intellectual competence; supporting social and emotional development and positive guidance; building relationships with families; running a purposeful, well-organized program; and maintaining professionalism. The CDA Birth to Five case studies are 5 cases and about 4,038 words.

The 101.3°F Drop-Off: Health Exclusion, Medication, and Ratio Under Pressure

You are the lead teacher in a toddler room with 8 children and 2 staff (program ratio 1:4). At 8:10 a.m., a 15-month-old is dropped off by his father.

749 words, about 4 min 2

104°F Heat Index: Keeping Gross Motor and IFSP Goals Alive Indoors

You teach a mixed-age preschool group of 16 children (ages 3 to 5) with one assistant. Your group includes Marcus, a 4-year-old with an IFSP goal of climbing stairs with alternating feet and pedaling a tricycle; he has low muscle tone and reliably avoids the climber.

775 words, about 4 min 3

Three Bites in Two Weeks: Guidance, Not Punishment

In your 4-year-old room, there have been three biting incidents in two weeks, one of which broke the skin. All three occurred around 12:05 p.m., when 20 children move from free play to lunch with two staff.

846 words, about 4 min 4

'I Don't Want Her Labeled': Raising a Developmental Concern and Handling Records Requests

At the fall conference, 3-year-4-month-old Nia's mother mentions that Nia 'doesn't talk like her cousin did,' then quickly adds, 'but I don't want her labeled.' Nia uses about 30 single words and no two-word combinations, though she follows routines and uses gestures well. Nia's parents are separated.

811 words, about 4 min 5

Alone With Fourteen: Ratio, a Falsified Log, and a Bruise

You are the lead teacher in a 3-year-old room. At 2:45 p.m., your co-teacher says she must leave 45 minutes early for an appointment and walks out.

857 words, about 4 min