Standard 2: NAEYC Accreditation Criteria for Curriculum

The following chart presents the accreditation criteria for this topic area. Each criterion provides specific details to guide program plans, policies and practices. The criteria are numbered (01, 02, 03, etc.) within their topic area. Each criterion within each program standard is identified by its relevant age group (or groups). Many criteria are identified as "universal" (U), meaning that all classrooms and programs pursuing NAEYC Accreditation must address these criteria. These aspects of quality should be seen in any programs or classrooms serving birth through kindergarten, though they may look somewhat different in practice depending on the children's age.

Age Groups:
U = universal
I = infant
T = toddlers/twos
P = preschool
K = kindergarten

2.D.
Areas of Development: Language Development

2.D.01
U   I   T   P   K
Children are provided with opportunities for language acquisition that align with the program philosophy, consider family perspectives, and consider community perspectives.

2.D.02
U   I   T   P   K
Children are provided opportunities to experience oral and written communication in a language their family uses or understands.

2.D.03
U   I   T   P   K
Children have varied opportunities to develop competence in verbal and nonverbal communication by responding to questions; communicating needs, thoughts, and experiences; and describing things and events.

2.D.04
U   I   T   P   K
Children have varied opportunities to develop vocabulary through conversations, experiences, field trips, and books.

2.D.05
T   P   K
Children who are non-verbal are provided alternative communication strategies.

2.D.06
P   K
Children have varied opportunities and materials that encourage them to have discussions to solve problems that are interpersonal and those that are related to the physical world.

2.D.07
P   K
Children are provided varied opportunities and materials that encourage them to engage in discussions with one another.