New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 6 - PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
Chapter 61 - SCHOOL PERSONNEL - SPECIFIC LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR INSTRUCTORS
Part 12 - LICENSURE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, PRE K - GRADE 3
Section 6.61.12.10 - REFERENCED MATERIAL: COMPETENCIES FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Universal Citation: 6 NM Admin Code 6.61.12.10

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 6, March 26, 2024

A. Child growth, development, and learning: Foundations for all learning are established during early childhood. Biological-physical, social, cultural, emotional, cognitive, and language domains are inherently intertwined in growth and development. Early childhood professionals must understand this process of development and the adult's role in supporting each child's growth, development, and learning.

(1) Incorporate understanding of developmental stages, processes, and theories of growth, development, and learning into developmentally appropriate practice.

(2) Demonstrate knowledge of the interaction between maturation and environmental factors that influence physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and cultural domains in the healthy development of each child.

(3) Demonstrate knowledge of the significance of individual differences in development and learning. Demonstrate knowledge of how certain differences may be associated with rate of development and developmental patterns associated with developmental delays or specific disabilities.

(4) Demonstrate knowledge of the similarities between children who are developing typically and those with diverse abilities.

(5) Provide a variety of activities that facilitate development of the whole child in the following areas: physical/motor, social/emotional, language/cognitive and adaptive/living skills.

(6) Apply knowledge of cultural and linguistic diversity and the significance of socio-cultural and political contexts for development and learning and recognize that children are best understood in the contexts of family, culture, and society.

(7) Demonstrate knowledge of the many functions that language serves in the cognitive, social, and emotional aspects of development in the formative years.

(8) Demonstrate knowledge of the developmental sequence of language and literacy, including the influence of culture and home factors.

(9) Demonstrate knowledge of how children acquire and use verbal, non-verbal, and alternative means of communication.

(10) Demonstrate knowledge of the relationship among emotions, behaviors, and communication skills to assist children in identifying and expressing their feelings in appropriate ways.

(11) Use appropriate guidance to support the development of self-regulatory capacities in young children.

B. Health, safety and nutrition: Early childhood professionals promote physical and mental health and appropriate nutrition and provide an emotionally and physically safe environment for young children in partnership with their families. Sound health, safety, and nutritional practices provide the foundation for development and learning. Good nutrition is critical to the overall development of young children. Meals and snacks encourage good nutrition and eating habits. A safe environment prevents and reduces injuries for young children who are only beginning to recognize dangerous situations.

(1) Recognize and respond to each child's physical health, intellectual and emotional wellbeing, and nutritional and safety needs.

(2) Articulate an understanding of indoor and outdoor learning environments that provide opportunities for children to put into practice healthy behaviors (physically, socially, and emotionally).

(3) Use appropriate health appraisal and management procedures and makes referrals when necessary.

(4) Recognize signs of emotional distress, child abuse, and neglect in young children and use procedures appropriate to the situation, such as initiating discussions with families, referring to appropriate professionals, and, in cases of suspected abuse or neglect, reporting to designated authorities.

(5) Establish an environment that provides opportunities and reinforcement for children's practice of healthy behaviors that promote appropriate nutrition and physical and psychological well-being.

(6) Provide a consistent daily schedule for rest/sleep, as developmentally appropriate.

(7) Implement health care and educational activities for children and families based on health and nutritional information that is responsive to diverse cultures.

(8) Assist young children and their families, as individually appropriate, in developing decision- making and interpersonal skills that enable them to make healthy choices and establish health-promoting behaviors.

C. Family and community collaboration: Early childhood professionals are committed to family-centered practices. They maintain an open, friendly, and collaborative relationship with each child's family, encouraging family involvement, and supporting the child's relationship with their family. The diverse cultures and languages representative of families in New Mexico's communities are honored.

(1) Demonstrate knowledge and skill in building positive, reciprocal relationships with families.

(2) Articulate an understanding of a safe and welcoming environment for families and community members.

(3) Develop and maintain ongoing contact with families through a variety of communication strategies.

(4) Demonstrate knowledge of and respect for variations across cultures, in terms of family strengths, expectations, values, and child-rearing practices.

(5) Articulate understanding of the complexity and dynamics of family systems.

(6) Demonstrate understanding of the importance of families as the primary educator of their child.

(7) Demonstrate the ability to incorporate the families' desires and goals for their children into classroom or intervention strategies.

(8) Develop partnerships with family members to promote early literacy in the home.

(9) Involve families and community members in contributing to the learning environment.

(10) Establish partnerships with community members in promoting literacy.

(11) Demonstrate ability to communicate to families the program's policies, procedures, and those procedural safeguards that are mandated by state and federal regulations.

(12) Apply knowledge of family theory and research to understand family and community characteristics including socioeconomic conditions; family structures, relationships, stressors, and supports (including the impact of having a child with diverse abilities); home language and ethnicity.

(13) Demonstrate knowledge of and skill to access community resources that assist families and contribute directly or indirectly to children's positive development such as mental health services, health care, adult education, native and English language instruction, and economic assistance.

D. Developmentally appropriate content: Early childhood professionals demonstrate knowledge of child development and learning, as well as content knowledge, both in terms of academic disciplines and in terms of interdisciplinary integration. Their approach to curriculum content emerges from multiple sources, such as play and exploration, and is appropriate for the ages and developmental levels of the children with whom they work. Content includes, but is not limited to, the arts, literacy, mathematics, physical education, health, social studies, science, and technology. Children's initial experiences with these content areas form the foundation for later understanding and success.

(1) Demonstrate knowledge of relevant content for young children and developmentally appropriate ways of integrating content into teaching and learning experiences for children from age three to grade 3.

(2) Demonstrate the integration of knowledge of how young children develop and learn with knowledge of the concepts, inquiry tools, and structure of content areas appropriate for different developmental levels.

(3) Demonstrate knowledge of what is important in each content area, why it is of value, and how it links with earlier and later understandings within and across areas.

(4) Demonstrate knowledge of the language, reading, and writing components of emergent literacy at each developmental level.

(5) Develop, implement, and evaluate an integrated curriculum that focuses on children's development and interests, using their language, home experiences, and cultural values.

(6) Adapt content to meet the needs of each child, including the development of individualized family service plans (IFSP) or individualized education plans (IEP) for children with diverse abilities through the team process with families and other team members.

(7) Provides and uses anti-bias materials/literature and experiences in all content areas of the curriculum.

E. Learning environment and curriculum implementation: Teaching and learning with young children is a complex process embedded in relationships. These teaching and learning relationships provide the scaffold for jointly constructing meanings about self, others, and the world. Early childhood professionals use their child development knowledge, their knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices, and their content knowledge to design, implement, and evaluate experiences that promote optimal development and learning for all children from birth to eight years. In addition, their use of observations is grounded in a thorough understanding of children's families, cultures, and communities. Early childhood professionals encourage young children's problem solving, critical thinking, and academic and social competence within a supportive and challenging learning environment. These challenging teaching and learning experiences build children's confidence in themselves as competent learners.

(1) Demonstrate knowledge of varying program models and learning environments that meet the individual needs of all young children, including those with diverse abilities.

(2) Create environments that encourage active involvement, initiative, responsibility, and a growing sense of autonomy through the selection and use of materials and equipment that are suitable to individual learning, developmental levels, diverse abilities, and the language and cultures in New Mexico.

(3) Demonstrate knowledge and skill in the use of developmentally appropriate guidance techniques and strategies that provide opportunities to assist children in developing positive thoughts and feelings about themselves and others through cooperative interaction with peers and adults.

(4) Create and manage inclusive learning environments that provide individual and cooperative opportunities for children to construct their own knowledge through various strategies that include decision-making, problem solving, and inquiry experiences.

(5) Demonstrate understanding that each child's creative expression is unique and can be encouraged through diverse ways, including creative play.

(6) Plan blocks of uninterrupted time for children to persist at self-chosen activities, both indoors and out.

(7) Demonstrate understanding of the influence of the physical setting, schedule, routines, and transitions on children and use these experiences to promote children's development and learning.

(8) Use and explain the rationale for developmentally appropriate methods that include play, small group projects, open-ended questioning, group discussion, problem solving, cooperative learning, and inquiry experiences to help young children develop intellectual curiosity, solve problems, and make decisions.

(9) Create and manage a literacy-rich environment that is responsive to each child's unique path of development.

(10) Use a variety of language strategies during adult-child and child-child interactions and facilitate communication and dialogue of expressive language and thought.

(11) Demonstrate a variety of developmentally appropriate instructional strategies that facilitate the development of emergent literacy skills.

(12) Demonstrate knowledge of developmentally appropriate uses of technology, including assistive technology.

(13) Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with educational assistants, volunteers, and others to individualize the curriculum and to meet program goals.

(14) Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills when working with children, families, and early care, education, and family support professionals.

F. Assessment of children and evaluation of programs: Early childhood professionals must develop knowledge of diverse assessment approaches, including observational skills. They use appropriate ongoing documentation and report information to families and professionals. Appropriate early childhood assessment is responsive to cultural and linguistic differences. It includes information from multiple sources, e.g., observations, checklists, interviews, and both formal and informal standardized measures in diverse settings for making educational decisions about children. The assessment data gathered from multiple sources that has a major impact on children should be made by a team of family members, teachers, and other professionals. In addition, early childhood professionals engage in systematic, ongoing evaluation of their programs.

(1) Demonstrate ability to choose valid tools that are developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate; use the tools correctly; make appropriate referrals; and interpret assessment results, with the goal of obtaining valid, useful information to inform practice and decision-making.

(2) Demonstrate knowledge of maintaining appropriate records of children's development and behavior that safeguard confidentiality and privacy.

(3) Demonstrate knowledge of the educator's role as a participating member of the assessment process as described and mandated by state and federal regulations for individual family service plans (IFSP) and individual education plans (IEP).

(4) Demonstrate understanding of the influences of environmental factors, cultural/linguistic differences, and diverse ways of learning on assessment outcomes.

(5) Involve the family and, as appropriate, other team members in assessing the child's development, strengths, and needs in order to set goals for the child.

(6) Articulate an understanding of the distinctions and definitions of assessment concepts (e.g., authentic, screening, diagnostic assessment, standardized, testing, accountability assessment).

(7) Apply understanding of assessment concepts toward selection of appropriate formal assessment measures, critiquing the limitations of inappropriate measures, and discussing assessment issues as part of interdisciplinary teams.

(8) Articulate an understanding that responsible assessment is legally and ethically grounded and guided by sound professional standards. It is collaborative and open with the goal of supporting diverse children and families.

(9) Demonstrate knowledge of assessment techniques, interpretation of assessment information in the application of this data to curriculum development or intervention planning.

(10) Demonstrate knowledge of a variety of techniques and procedures to evaluate and modify program goals for young children and their families.

(11) Demonstrate knowledge and use of program evaluation to ensure comprehensive quality of the total environment for children, families, and the community.

(12) Use both self and collaborative evaluations as part of ongoing program evaluations.

G. Professionalism: Professionalism is built upon individual integrity, responsibility, and ethical practices that demonstrate a profound respect for all children and their families. Early childhood professionals embrace a multicultural perspective that is responsive to individuals in culturally diverse communities in New Mexico. Professionals make decisions based upon knowledge of early childhood theories and practices that recognize diversity of ability, developmental level, and family characteristics. Early childhood professionals advocate for excellence in early childhood programs and participate in ongoing professional development to enhance their knowledge and skills.

(1) Adhere to early childhood professional codes of ethical conduct and issues of confidentiality.

(2) Demonstrate knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations and public policies regarding programs and services for children birth to eight years of age.

(3) Demonstrate understanding of conditions of children, families, and professionals; the historical and current issues and trends; legal issues; and legislation and other public policies affecting children, families, and programs for young children and the early childhood profession.

(4) Demonstrate critical reflection of one's own professional and educational practices from community, state, national, and global perspectives.

(5) Demonstrate understanding of the early childhood profession, its multiple, historical, philosophical and social foundations, and how these foundations influence current thought and practice.

(6) Demonstrate a commitment to leadership and advocacy for excellence in programs and services for young children and their families.

(7) Demonstrate knowledge in technology resources to engage in ongoing professional development.

H. Knowledge of Content: Early childhood teachers demonstrate content knowledge and knowledge of child development and learning both in terms of academic disciplines and interdisciplinary integration. Early childhood professionals demonstrate content knowledge including, but not limited to, the arts, literacy, mathematics, social studies, science, and technology. Early childhood teachers understand that children's initial experiences with these content areas form the foundation for later understanding and success. Thus early childhood teachers develop, implement, and evaluate a content-rich, integrated curriculum that focuses on children's development and interests, using their language, home experiences, and cultural values.

(1) Reading and language arts
(a) Demonstrate an understanding of the foundations of reading and language including research on children's literacy development, the relationship between oral and written language, and how children learn to speak, read, write, and listen.

(b) Demonstrate knowledge of the cultural, linguistics, environmental, and physiological factors in reading and language arts development.

(c) Articulate characteristics of proficient and non-proficient readers and the teacher's role in support of all literacy development.

(d) Demonstrate an understanding of language structure including graphophonics, semantics, syntax, and pragmatics systems.

(e) Demonstrated understandings of the use of classroom reading assessment to understand students' instructional needs and modify instruction appropriately.

(f) Link assessment and instruction to New Mexico language arts content standards, benchmarks and performance standards.

(g) Apply strategies of differentiated instruction based on the needs of children in all areas of literacy development including oral language development.

(h) Facilitate activities to develop fluency; the ability to read text accurately and rapidly.

(i) Facilitate vocabulary development, including both explicit instruction and indirect vocabulary development through authentic literature, cultural relevancy, and students' experiences.

(j) Facilitate comprehension strategies, including: instruction on predicting, re-reading, questioning, sequencing, summarizing, retelling, reading for pleasure and analytical and critical reading, activities to develop fluency, the ability to read text accurately and rapidly; and study strategies.

(k) Facilitate writing instruction, including different types of writing for different audiences and purposes, spelling generalizations; grammar instruction within authentic contexts; and writing processes, including drafting, revising, and editing;

(l) demonstrate knowledge of how children develop literacy through the use of culturally relevant pedagogy that promotes an understanding of the importance of resources students bring to the classroom; evaluation of text for quality, cultural, and linguistic appropriateness; and the creation of opportunities for students to consider, respond to and discuss spoken and written materials including children's literature, non-fiction, technological media, stories, poems, biographies, texts from various subject areas.

(2) Mathematics
(a) Demonstrate an understanding and apply the following mathematical concepts:
(i) the arithmetic of real numbers and their subsets of rational numbers, integers, and whole numbers including a large repertoire of interpretations of the four basic operations and ways they can be applied, and an understanding of place value and its implications for ordering numbers and estimation;

(ii) three dimensional geometry based on the concept of distance, and two dimensional geometry as a method of drawing plans and representing three dimensional objects;

(iii) measurement of length, perimeter, area, time, weights, and temperature;

(iv) handling money problems such as cost and unit price.

(b) Demonstrate understanding and skill in the constructions of solids, measurements of their volumes and surface areas, drawing their projections, and making plans for their construction; defining relevant variables and writing formulas describing their relationships in problem-solving activities; and using measurement tools and appropriate techniques for recording data and displaying results.

(c) Facilitate curriculum with open-ended activities that promote children's expansion of the material learned, and in which children learn to use a variety of mathematical skills and concepts, including problem solving, reasoning, and logic.

(d) Provide opportunities for children to learn how to use tools, technology, and manipulatives in problem solving.

(e) Establish a classroom environment of respect for cultural diversity and gender equity in which all children develop skills in communicating, discussing, and displaying mathematical ideas.

(3) Science
(a) Demonstrate understanding and apply the fundamental concepts in the subject matter of science including physical, life, and earth and space sciences as well as concepts in science and technology, science in personal and social perspectives, the history and nature of science, the unifying concepts of science, and the inquiry process scientists use in discovery of new knowledge to build a base of scientific inquiry.

(b) Apply scientific methods to develop children's abilities to identify and communicate a problem, and to design, implement, and evaluate a solution.

(c) Demonstrate the ability to integrate a variety of technologies into planned science activities.

(d) Establish a classroom environment of respect for cultural diversity and gender equity where all children participate fully in science learning.

(4) Social studies
(a) Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of teaching and learning processes that underline social studies concepts and can translate these into meaningful learning activities focusing on inquiry, authenticity, and collaboration.

(b) Demonstrates understanding that the social studies encompass history, geography, anthropology, archeology, economics, political science, psychology, sociology, and the interdisciplinary relationship of all facets of the social studies.

(c) Demonstrate understanding that the definition of social studies requires that children be socially aware of and are active participants in local, state, national, and global issues; and that children recognize and respect diverse local and global perspectives concerning cultures other than their own.

(d) Implement a variety of teaching strategies to assist children to use multiple resources including primary (e.g., documents, artifacts/regalia, direct observation, human resources, personal background) and secondary (e.g., books, newspapers, internet) as part of the inquiry/research process.

(e) Create curriculum experiences that provide opportunities for children to appreciate the historical development of democratic values, institutions, nations, and cultures.

(f) Demonstrate the ability to plan for and engage children in activities that require them to formulate, analyze, synthesize, and critique issues by using well-reasoned, clearly supported arguments, policies, and positions.

(g) Demonstrate the ability to plan for and engage children in the presentation of social studies knowledge using a variety of sign systems including writing, charts, graphs, maps, art, music, drama, dance, and technology.

(5) Fine arts and movement
(a) Demonstrate an understanding and implementation of arts activities such as history, art making, appreciation, and criticism through dance, music, theater, and the visual arts, appropriate to young children's developmental levels interests.

(b) Demonstrate knowledge of the distinctions, connections, and integration between arts disciplines and arts experiences and encourages study and active participation that leads to skill development and appreciation.

(c) Facilitate curriculum in which children communicate at a basic level in the four art disciplines of dance, music, theater, and visual arts, including knowledge and skills in the use of basic vocabularies, materials, tools, techniques, and thinking processes of each discipline.

(d) Create a classroom environment with exemplary works of art from a variety of cultures and historical periods and provide opportunities for students to discuss and respond to them.

(e) Demonstrate an understanding of motor skill development in young children and apply knowledge of age and developmentally appropriate psychomotor and cognitive activities.

(f) Create and use appropriate instructional cues and prompts for motor skills, rhythms, and physical activity.

(g) Apply an understanding of child development knowledge coupled with child performance data to make informed instructional decisions.

I. Curriculum and content knowledge

(1) Demonstrate skill in collaboration with professionals from other disciplines (e.g., mental health, psychology, speech and language) when planning curriculum and teaching strategies for young children with diverse abilities.

(2) Demonstrate an understanding and application of flexible teaching approaches that span a continuum from child-initiated to an adult-directed and from free exploration to scaffolded support or teacher modeling.

(3) Apply an understanding of young children's need for balance, order, depth, variety, and challenge through curriculum planning, routines, and scheduling (e.g., daily, weekly, and longer-term).

(4) Link child characteristics, needs, and interests with informal opportunities to build children's language, concept development, and skills.

(5) Apply knowledge to create environments that enrich and extent children's play including intervention strategies (i.e., questioning), respect of cultural diversity and gender equity.

(6) Support play in young children's learning and development from age three to grade 3.

(7) Demonstrate sound knowledge and skills in using technology as a teaching and learning tool.

(8) Demonstrate the ability to promote positive social interactions and engage children in learning activities while actively working to increase social and emotional competence of all children.

(9) Demonstrate the ability to analyze and critique early childhood curriculum experiences in terms of the relationship of the experiences to the research base and professional standards.

(10) Establish high-quality and meaningful language and pre-literacy experiences across the developmental continuum, using language, reading and writing to facilitate skill development while strengthening children's cultural identity.

(11) Demonstrate knowledge of second-language acquisition and bilingualism including the diversity of home language environments.

(12) Facilitate family involvement so that families are engaged with curriculum planning, assessing of children's learning, and planning for children's transitions to new programs.

(13) Demonstrate conceptual knowledge of the principles and standards derived from professional content organizations (zero to three, NAEYC, DEC) for curriculum-decision making.

(14) Demonstrate the use of reflective practice.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New Mexico may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.