Virtual Critical Competencies Area 3 Micro-ToT: Language and Literacy Development - June 2026

The ZERO TO THREE Critical Competencies for Infant-Toddler Educators™ define the specific knowledge and practices required for infant-toddler educators to be successful now, to support the future of our children. Area 3: Supporting Language and Literacy Development, of the ZERO TO THREE Critical Competencies curriculum. The Micro-ToT  supports for PD specialists and other adult educators in earning a ZERO TO THREE trainer badge for the Critical Competencies, Area 3. Upon successful completion of the ToT, ZERO TO THREE badged trainers are permitted to deliver the Area 3 Critical Competencies Course curriculum (3 modules; 9 hours of Critical Competencies professional development)in synchronous virtual, hybrid, and in-person formats. 

Area 3 Micro-ToT Objectives: Participant trainers will… 

1. Summarize Area 3 ZERO TO THREE Critical Competencies for Infant-Toddler Educators™ that support language and literacy development in children, ages birth through 3
2. Summarize concepts within each of the three Area 3 modules.   
3. Identify learning objectives within each Area 3 module.   
4. Identify strategies to create trusting and respectful interactions with and among training participants. 
5. Contribute to the development of interactive learning activities for each module using adult learning principles as a foundation.  
6. Develop capacity to deliver Critical Competencies Area 3 training modules and implement participant evaluation protocols and documentation for CEUs, clock or credit hours 
7. Explain the Diversity-Informed Tenets for Work with Infants, Children, and Families; including opportunities to apply the Tenets within delivery of the Critical Competencies curriculum.  

 Area 3 Micro-ToT Length: ZERO TO THREE Faculty will guide a cohort of up to 20 trainers through an intensive five-part virtual training of trainers’ course. 

 Each virtual ZERO TO THREE Critical Competencies for Infant-Toddler Educators™ Micro-ToT consists of five parts: 

• ZERO TO THREE Critical Competencies for Infant-Toddler Educators™ Online Course (Area 1, 2 or 3)
• Overview and Orientation web meeting 
• ZERO TO THREE Critical Competencies for Infant-Toddler Educators™ 2-Day Virtual Trainer Seminar 
• Wrap-up web meeting 
• Additional virtual trainer support

The Area 3 sessions total up to 13 clock hours: up to 11 hours of self-study, asynchronous and live content instruction and delivery discussion; and 2 hours of additional trainer role information, activity, and support. Please note that the total clock hour time estimate does not include an additional 2-3 hours outside of web meetings for preparation, reflection, knowledge assessment activities, and implementation planning; or participant breaks during the micro-ToT. Additionally, badged trainers have access to up to 12 hours of support annually via our Expert Faculty Office Hours.

 The Critical Competencies ToT e-resources include:

• ZERO TO THREE Critical Competencies for Infant‐Toddler Educators™ e-Book: includes the full model of over 100 discrete skill statements describing pedagogy that supports infant-toddler development, along with:  
  • Examples in practice;   
  • Information and recommendations for supporting children learning multiple languages and children from vulnerable populations; and 
  • Crosswalks with related professional criteria and observation tools.

• Micro-Course Trainer manuals: full curriculum text, graphics, interactive prompts, and embedded trainer notes throughout
• Trainer agendas: specifying time, type of activities, manual and PPT references, and preparation needs
• PPTs: complete with trainer notes
• Activity handouts
• Audio and video files Preview Access to the ZERO TO THREE Reflection Tool™: Critical Competencies 

ERO TO THREE is pleased to offer Continuing Education Units for a wide range of learning events, both in person and on line. LIVE ATTENDANCE REQUIRED TO EARN CREDIT FOR THIS COURSE.

Contact hours and CEUs are automatically added to your registration for no additional charge. Registrants can earn up to 1.4 CEUs or 14 Contact Hours for this course. Continuing Education Units are awarded with live attendance to in in-person sessions, completed online modules. completed course evaluation, and passing knowledge assessment scores of 80% or greater. 

Learner Objectives for this course include:

1. Summarize Area 3 ZERO TO THREE Critical Competencies for Infant-Toddler Educators™ that support language and literacy development in children, ages birth through 3 
2. Summarize concepts within each of the three Area 3 modules.  
3. Identify learning objectives within each Area 3 module.  
4. Identify strategies to create trusting and respectful interactions with and among training participants.  
5. Contribute to the development of interactive learning activities for each module using adult learning principles as a foundation.  
6. Develop capacity to deliver Critical Competencies Area 3 training modules and implement participant evaluation protocols and documentation for CEUs, clock or credit hours  
7. Explain the Diversity-Informed Tenets for Work with Infants, Children, and Families; including opportunities to apply the Tenets within delivery of the Critical Competencies curriculum.  

Contact hours offered may vary per discipline. For more information regarding ZERO TO THREE CEUs, please visit: https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/1657-earn-ceus-from-zero-to-three. Please note: A computer or electronic device with internet connection is required for successful completion. This course will be hosted in the month of May and includes 3 self paced e-learning modules, live session components, office hours, and a course evaluation and knowledge assessment.. Questions can be shared throughout the course and the instructor will address as many as possible. 

Additional Details:

ZERO TO THREE is accredited as an Authorized Provider of Continuing Education and Training by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). In obtaining this accreditation, we have demonstrated compliance with the ANSI/IACET Standard, which is recognized internationally as a standard of excellence in instructional practices. As the official standard for continuing education and training, IACET Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are recognized by a wide range of organizations, including professional associations, regulatory boards, corporations, and universities.

Though IACET CEUs are widely accepted, it is up to each organization to choose whether or not it will accept them. For this reason, we strongly advise that you confirm in advance if a particular body accepts IACET CEUs. To view a list of companies, regulatory boards, and organizations that have reported to accept the IACET CEU credit, please click here. This list is not exhaustive, nor does it guarantee that an IACET CEU will automatically be accepted. 

*Presenters have affirmed that they do not have proprietary interest in products, instruments, devices, services or materials discussed in this course.

Cancellation/Refund Policy All cancellation/refund requests must be received in writing by email to ZERO TO THREE (ZTT) at least thirty (30) days before the event start date. Refund requests will be processed within 30 days after the request is received. No refunds will be made within 30 days of the event start date. All sales within 30 days of an event are final.   

Transfers Registrations may be transferred to an identical event in the future, or to another person. Transfers to future events must be received by email to ZTT at least 30 days before the original event’s start date. If transferring to another person, the original registrant should submit a transfer notice at least one (1) business day prior to the event start date. It should include the name of the person to whom the registration is being transferred along with the phone number and email of the substitute.

 Send cancellation / refund / transfer related correspondence to learningevents@zerotothree.org