Consider children’s learning across connected developmental domains over time. Select meaningful goals, experiences, and observation methods in context; one activity need not cover every domain. These domains organize planning, not a pass/fail checklist for children.
Social and Emotional Development
- Self-awareness and self-concept
- Self-regulation and emotional management
- Relationship skills and social problem-solving
- Empathy and perspective-taking
Physical and Motor Development
- Gross motor skills (running, jumping, balancing, coordination)
- Fine motor skills (grasping, cutting, drawing, manipulating small objects)
- Health, safety, and nutrition awareness
- Body awareness and spatial orientation
Language and Literacy
- Receptive and expressive language development
- Vocabulary acquisition and language complexity
- Phonological awareness and early reading skills
- Writing and symbolic representation
- Multilingual development for dual language learners
Cognitive Development
Mathematics
- Number sense and operations
- Patterns, sorting, and classification
- Measurement and spatial relationships
- Data analysis and mathematical reasoning
Science
- Scientific inquiry and investigation
- Physical science concepts
- Life science and natural world exploration
- Engineering and design thinking
Creative Arts
- Visual arts (drawing, painting, sculpture, collage)
- Music and movement
- Dramatic play and theater
- Creative expression across media
Social Studies
- Self, family, and community identity
- Cultural awareness and diversity appreciation
- Civic engagement and citizenship concepts
- Geography and environmental awareness
Approaches to Learning
Critical for School Readiness: Approaches to learning represent the dispositions and behaviors children develop for engaging with learning opportunities.
- Initiative and Curiosity: Eagerness to explore, ask questions, and seek new experiences
- Persistence: Ability to continue working through challenges
- Self-Regulation: Managing attention, emotions, and behavior
- Cognitive Flexibility: Adapting to new situations and thinking in different ways
- Creativity and Inventiveness: Generating novel ideas and solutions