CDA Birth to Five study guide
CDA Birth to Five · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
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 study guide has 6 sections and about 1,793 words.
01Establishing and Maintaining a Safe, Healthy Learning Environment
Safety and health are built into routines, not added at inspection time. A candidate should understand supervision sightlines and sound, ratios and group size, hazard mapping at child height, safe sleep (infants alone, on the back, in a crib with a firm mattress and no soft objects), choking prevention, water and playground safety, secure storage of medicines and cleaning products, allergy and medication plans, illness exclusion, emergency drills, and reporting requirements.
350 words, about 2 min02Advancing Physical and Intellectual Competence
Physical and intellectual competence develops through play and intentional teaching. Candidates should know gross-motor and fine-motor milestones, sensory experiences, health and nutrition routines, and how to plan across domains: language, literacy, math, science, social studies, creative arts, and approaches to learning.
294 words, about 1 min03Supporting Social and Emotional Development and Positive Guidance
Social and emotional competence grows from secure relationships, predictable routines, and guidance that teaches. Candidates should understand attachment, temperament, emotional literacy, self-regulation, friendship skills, and conflict resolution.
298 words, about 1 min04Establishing Positive and Productive Relationships with Families
Families are the child’s first and most important teachers. Candidates should understand family-centered practice, culturally responsive communication, two-way exchange, confidentiality, diverse family structures, home language and literacy, and the value of families’ knowledge about their child.
284 words, about 1 min05Ensuring a Well-Run, Purposeful Program Responsive to Participant Needs
A purposeful program is intentional, organized, and responsive. Candidates should understand ongoing observation and authentic assessment, documentation, the planning cycle, individualized goals, routines and transitions, room arrangement, ratios and group size, record keeping, referrals, inclusion, and collaboration with specialists and families.
294 words, about 1 min06Maintaining a Commitment to Professionalism
Professionalism means acting with integrity, competence, and respect. Candidates should know the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and its core values, confidentiality, professional boundaries, mandatory reporting, licensing standards, and the importance of ongoing professional development and reflective practice.
273 words, about 1 min