In early education, CDA stands for Child Development Associate. The Child Development Associate Credential is widely known and prized in early childhood education. It is a chance for educators working with children from birth to age 5 to demonstrate and strengthen their knowledge, understanding, and practices when teaching in early education. Not only is the CDA Credential a key part of advancing within early childhood education, but it is also a major professional development learning experience and essential resource moving into the field.

The Child Development Associate Credential is based on a core set of standards set to assess and develop early childhood educators as they strive to enter the professional world. Not only is it important for professional development, but it can also be a key piece of becoming an equipped, exceptional teacher to young children.

Those who earn their Child Development Associate Credential have comprehended the CDA standards and have an extensive understanding of why these practices will support children in being more successful and move them smoothly from one developmental stage to the next. Child Development Associates are given the knowledge of each aspect of a child’s development, including emotional, social, physical, and intellectual. This allows associates to strive to help children grow through the stages of development more effortlessly.

While earning a CDA Credential isn’t always easy, it is overwhelmingly rewarding to personally evolve and professionally prepare to be the best early childhood educator possible.