CDA required coursework

Required reading
Readings from the following three books are required to complete the Better Kid Care CDA coursework and the CDA
Credential Process. The books are available from the Council for Professional Recognition.

1. CDA Competency Standards (for your identified CDA setting)

2. Essentials for Working with Young Children, 3rd edition
3. Essentials Workbook, 3rd edition

1. Read and complete the following in the book CDA Competency Standards:

a. Introduction and Part One – Earning the Child Development Associate Credential
b. Part Two – The Child Development Associate Competency Standards
c. Part Three – Additional Information and Resources

2. Read and complete the following in Essentials for Working with Young Children and the accompanying
Essentials Workbook:

CDA Competency Standard I: To plan a safe, CDA Competency Standard II: To advance
healthy learning environment. physical and intellectual competence.

CDA Functional Area 1 Safe: CDA Functional Area 4 Physical:

• Essentials for Working with Young Children – • Essentials for Working with Young Children –
Read the Introduction and Chapter 1 “Safe”. Read Chapter 4 “Physical”.
• Essentials Workbook – Read and complete the • Essentials Workbook – Read and complete
activities in the Introduction and Chapter 1 “Safe”. activities for Chapter 4 “Physical”.

CDA Functional Area 2 Healthy: CDA Functional Area 5 Cognitive:

• Essentials for Working with Young Children – • Essentials for Working with Young Children –
Read Chapter 2 “Healthy”. Read Chapter 5 “Cognitive”.
• Essentials Workbook – Read and complete • Essentials Workbook – Read and complete the
activities in Chapter 2 “Healthy”. activities for Chapter 5 “Cognitive”.

CDA Functional Area 3 Learning Environment: CDA Functional Area 6 Communication:

• Essentials for Working with Young Children – • Essentials for Working with Young Children –
Read Chapter 3 “Learning Environment”. Read Chapter 6 “Communication”.
• Essentials Workbook – Read and complete • Essentials Workbook – Read and complete
activities in Chapter 3 “Learning Environment”. activities for Chapter 6 “Communication”.
CDA Coursework

CDA Functional Area 7 Creative: CDA Competency Standard V: To ensure a

• Essentials for Working with Young Children – well-run, purposeful program.
Read Chapter 8 “Self”. CDA Functional Area 12 Program Management:
• Essentials Workbook – Read Chapter 8 “Self”. • Essentials for Working with Young Children –
Read Chapter 12 “Program Management”.
CDA Competency Standard III: To support • Essentials Workbook – Read and complete
children’s social and emotional development. activities for Chapter 12 “Program
CDA Functional Area 8 Self: Management.”.

• Essentials for Working with Young Children –

Read Chapter 8 “Self”. CDA Competency Standard VI: To maintain
a commitment to professionalism.
• Essentials Workbook – Read and complete
activities for Chapter 8 “Self”. CDA Functional Area 13 Professionalism:

CDA Functional Area 9 Social: • Essentials for Working with Young Children –
Read Chapter 13 “Professionalism”.
• Essentials for Working with Young Children –
Read Chapter 9 “Social”. • Essentials Workbook – Read and complete
activities for Chapter 13 “Professionalism”.
• Essentials Workbook – Read and complete
activities for Chapter 9 “Social”.
CDA Subject Area 7: To observe and record
CDA Functional Area 10 Guidance: children’s behavior.
• Essentials for Working with Young Children –
CDA Subject Area 7 doesn’t have required reading,
Read Chapter 10 “Guidance”.
however, it is helpful to review the sections
• Essentials Workbook – Read and complete “Observing Children With the Setting” and
activities for Chapter 10 “Guidance”. “Documenting Children’s Learning” in chapter 12
“Program Management” in Essentials for Working
CDA competency Standard IV: To build with Young Children.
productive relationships with families.
CDA Subject Area 8:
CDA Functional Area 11 Families:
To understand principles of child
• Essentials for Working with Young Children – development.
Read Chapter 11 “Families”.
CDA Subject Area 8 does not have required
• Essentials Workbook – Read and complete
reading, however, it is helpful to review chapters
activities for Chapter 11 “Families”.
4-10 in Essentials for Working with Young Children.

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