This research article attempts to determine strategies that can be used to support children's cognitive and social-emotional development in early childhood care and education programs. By synthesizing empirical evidence about pedagogical techniques that promote children's competencies, the article aims to identify those characteristics of programs that ultimately contribute to the effectiveness of early childhood care and education. In particular, the article summarizes strategies that foster children's acquisition of language, math, and social-emotional skills. In so doing, it responds to the needs of program staff who struggle to understand and address the numerous developmental needs of young children and it provides concrete guidance for policymakers and management personnel who aim to design purposeful programs which benefit child development effectively.