Domain
Approaches to Learning
The "learning to learn" skills that shape how a child engages with people, materials, and ideas: curiosity and initiative, attention and executive function, working memory, and persistence. These dispositions describe how a child approaches a task rather than what they feel about it, and they are distinct from the relationship and emotion skills of social-emotional development.
Ages 0–72 months
Skills
Explores With Senses and Actions Infant actively investigates objects and surroundings by looking, mouthing, reaching, banging, and shaking. 4–14 months
Distinguishes Familiar from Unfamiliar Child recognizes familiar people, objects, and routines and notices when something is new or unexpected. 4–36 months
Draws on Memory to Guide Action Child uses memories of past experiences to anticipate routines and carry out remembered actions. 6–36 months
Tries Strategies to Solve Problems Child uses a variety of strategies, including persistence and trial and error, to solve everyday problems. 6–36 months
Manages Emotions Child handles strong feelings, first by seeking a familiar adult and later by using simple coping strategies with growing independence. 6–60 months
Shows Initiative and Independence Child starts interactions and activities on their own, makes choices, and works independently for growing stretches of time. 6–60 months
Reasons and Plans Ahead Child reasons about a problem and plans a sequence of actions to reach a goal. 8–36 months
Uses Imagination in Play Child shows imagination by pretending, exploring new uses for objects, and making novel things with simple materials. 8–36 months
Manages Actions and Behavior Child adjusts actions, words, and behavior — first with steady adult guidance and later with increasing independence in familiar settings. 8–60 months
Shows Flexible Thinking Child shifts approaches and adapts to change — trying a new strategy when one fails and adjusting behavior across settings. 8–60 months
Focuses Attention Child sustains attention on a chosen activity for a developmentally appropriate stretch, resisting minor distractions. 18–42 months
Shows Curiosity and Asks Questions Child notices novel or puzzling things and seeks more information by exploring, commenting, and asking questions. 24–54 months
Holds Information in Mind Child keeps a small amount of information active in memory and uses it to guide a short sequence of actions. 30–54 months
Persists Through Challenges Child keeps working toward a goal after setbacks, trying new strategies rather than giving up. 30–60 months
Cares for Materials Child uses, handles, and puts away classroom and home materials appropriately, with increasing independence. 36–60 months
Controls Impulses Child increasingly inhibits impulsive responses — waiting a turn, delaying a desire, and pausing before acting. 36–60 months
Follows Rules and Routines Child follows classroom rules and daily routines with increasing independence, responding to signals for transitions. 36–60 months
Early Atlas