Human Growth & Development: A Core Competency for Illinois Early Childhood Educators - post

Introduction

Human Growth & Development (HGD) is the foundation of high-quality #early-childhood practice. Illinois Gateways to Opportunity® identifies HGD as one of the seven core competency areas that every #early-childhood-educator must master to earn or advance their Illinois ECE Credential. Understanding #developmental-milestones, how children learn, and the ways environment and culture shape growth is essential for providing effective, #developmentally-appropriate care.

This article examines the HGD competency area in depth—and shows how ChildCareEd’s Gateways-approved training courses support Illinois #educators in meeting HGD1–HGD4 requirements.

What Is Human Growth & Development (HGD)?

HGD is defined as a professional’s ability to use developmental theory, milestone knowledge, and understanding of individual differences to guide instruction, observation, and collaboration with families and colleagues.

The ECE Competency Alignment Guide further expands these expectations across Levels 2–6, covering:

• Typical and atypical development
• The interrelationship of developmental domains
• First and second language acquisition
• The influence of culture, trauma, and resilience
• Using developmental knowledge to identify delays
• Applying developmental theory in practice

These competencies ensure educators can create learning environments that support the whole child.

Illinois ECE Credential Competencies in HGD

HGD1 (Level 2):

Identifies and describes theories of typical and atypical growth across developmental domains and understands contextual influences on learning.

HGD2 (Level 2):

Explains how developmental domains interconnect, contributing to holistic well-being and adaptive/living skills.

HGD3 (Level 2):

Defines how culture, environment, trauma, protective factors, and resilience affect learning and development.

HGD4 (Level 3):

Interprets children’s developmental patterns and identifies when further assessment may be needed.

Higher-level competencies (HGD5–HGD6) expand into advanced theory integration and leadership-level application.

Why HGD Matters in Illinois Early Learning Programs

Understanding HGD allows educators to:

• Recognize developmental milestones
• Spot potential delays early
• Create inclusive, developmentally appropriate curriculum
• Understand diverse cultural and family influences
• Support children experiencing trauma
• Work effectively with specialists and families

These skills align with DCFS licensing, ExceleRate® Illinois expectations, and Illinois Learning Standards.

ChildCareEd Trainings Aligned With HGD Competencies

The following ChildCareEd trainings meet HGD competencies:

HGD1: The Science of Growing Up — Typical and Atypical Development

• Covers growth milestones
• Identifies typical vs. atypical development
• Understands individual differences

HGD2: Growing the Whole Child — Health, Emotions & Early Learning

• Focuses on holistic development
• Connects physical, emotional, and cognitive growth

HGD3: Roots & Resilience — Understanding What Shapes a Child

• Examines trauma, stress, culture, and resilience
• Highlights protective factors

HGD4: Recognize, Respond, Respect — Supporting Diverse Learners

• Supports identification of developmental concerns
• Compares first and second language acquisition patterns

These courses are:
✔ 6 hours each
✔ Gateways Level 2–6 approved
✔ 100% online, self-paced
✔ Designed for child care providers, teachers, and assistants

How HGD Helps Improve Classroom Practice

1. Developmentally Appropriate Planning

Educators use HGD knowledge to adjust instruction based on children’s abilities, readiness, and interests.

2. Supporting Diverse Learners

Understanding atypical development helps teachers differentiate instruction for children with disabilities and dual-language learners.

3. Trauma-Responsive Teaching

HGD3 highlights trauma’s impact on learning—critical for Illinois programs serving high-need communities.

4. Family Partnerships

HGD competencies support collaboration with families, helping educators understand cultural contexts that shape development.

👉 Start your next credential step at www.ChildCareEd.com