Common Planner
K–12 Standards

Early Language and Literacy

Other Maine Infant and Toddler Early Learning and Development Standards sets

Language Comprehension (Receptive Language)1

  • 1

    Birth-8 months1.1

    1. 1

      Maintains eye contact with person looking at him or her: 1.1.1

      1. a

        mutually gazes with primary caregivers, shows preference for voice of primary caregivers1.1.1.a

    2. 2

      Reacts to human voice:1.1.2

      1. a

        appears to watch or listen, quiets self, turns toward conversation1.1.2.a

    3. 3

      Reacts to new voices or sounds by becoming more quiet or active:1.1.3

      1. a

        startles or cries at loud sounds, shows different responses to tones of voice, looks for source of sounds1.1.3.a

  • 2

    6-18 months1.2

    1. 1

      Responds with gestures or vocal signals to familiar words:1.2.1

      1. a

        responds to own name1.2.1.a

      2. b

        turns to look at familiar person/ object/pet when named1.2.1.b

      3. c

        understands simple phrases as “byebye”, “hot”, etc.1.2.1.c

      4. d

        points or reaches to familiar objects when named as in body parts, favorite toys, family pictures1.2.1.d

    2. 2

      Understands simple one step requests such as “Get your blanket”, “Give me your cup”.1.2.2

    3. 3

      Looks to adult for messages about appropriate or inappropriate behavior.1.2.3

    4. 4

      Attends to and enjoys listening to adult voices: rhymes, songs, short stories, imitation games such as pat-a-cake.1.2.4

  • 3

    Indicators: 16-36 months 1.3

    1. 1

      Understands a variety of simple two-step requests and follows multi-step daily routines like handwashing.1.3.1

    2. 2

      Understands names for common objects, familiar people, familiar actions.1.3.2

    3. 3

      Understands contrasts such as:1.3.3

      1. a

        yes/no, come/go, run/stop, up/ down, fast/slow 1.3.3.a

    4. 4

      Understands prepositions such as:1.3.4

      1. a

        on, in, under, over 1.3.4.a

    5. 5

      With adult direction, finds items needed for an activity.1.3.5

    6. 6

      Shows increased attention span when being read to, listening to rhymes, finger plays, songs of increased complexity.1.3.6

Language Expression (Expressive/Productive Communication)2

  • 1

    Birth-8 months2.1

    1. 1

      Initiates communication with caregiver: maintains eye contact: 2.1.1

      1. a

        looks intently at caregiver2.1.1.a

      2. b

        cries, grunts or makes loud sounds to seek caregiver assistance2.1.1.b

      3. c

        smiles or gestures to initiate social contact2.1.1.c

      4. d

        moves body in anticipation of being picked up2.1.1.d

      5. 2

        Makes a variety of repetitive sounds or gestures: babbles and coos; pairs consonants and vowels with repetition such as “ma” or “da”; uses hands to express self.2.1.2

  • 2

    6-18 months2.2

    1. 1

      Uses physical gestures or sounds to get help from adult:2.2.1

      1. a

        gazes between adult and desired item,2.2.1.a

      2. b

        tugs or pulls on caregiver2.2.1.b

      3. c

        moves, points or motions to object out of reach2.2.1.c

      4. d

        expresses own needs such as hunger or wanting comfort item 2.2.1.d

    2. 2

      Expresses self with movement or facial expressions: shakes head “no”; nods “yes”; smiles; frowns. 2.2.2

    3. 3

      Takes turns in back-and-forth verbal play with caregiver that mimics a conversation. Responds to caregiver’s speech by babbling/uttering in reply.2.2.3

    4. 4

      Moves toward expression of identifiable words:2.2.4

      1. a

        jargon has melody and inflection2.2.4.a

      2. b

        imitates familiar words/sounds2.2.4.b

      3. c

        begins expressing clearly words like “mama”, “dada”, “bye-bye”, “no”, “baba”(bottle)2.2.4.c

  • 3

    Indicators: 16-36 months 2.3

    1. 1

      Uses words or actions to request assistance:2.3.1

      1. a

        asks for food when hungry2.3.1.a

      2. b

        asks for help2.3.1.b

      3. c

        may use words to solve conflicts with peers/siblings2.3.1.c

    2. 2

      Combines words into simple sentences: “Mommy bye-bye”, “Milk all gone”.2.3.2

    3. 3

      Asks and answers simple questions: lots of what, why and where questions.2.3.3

    4. 4

      Uses everyday experiences to build on vocabulary: 2.3.4

      1. a

        talks about what they are doing2.3.4.a

      2. b

        uses language to convey simple ideas2.3.4.b

    5. 5

      Refers to self by name; uses personal pronouns (I, me, you) with increased proficiency.2.3.5

    6. 6

      Vocabulary increases with age; articulation becomes increasingly clearer; may express feelings both physical and emotional.2.3.6

    7. 7

      Carries on sustained interactions with caregivers.2.3.7

Emergent Literacy3

  • 1

    Birth-8 months3.1

    1. 1

      With a responsive adult, looks at and attends to pictures of other babies or faces.3.1.1

    2. 2

      Looks at books, pats the pictures, brings book to mouth.3.1.2

    3. 3

      Kicks feet or moves arms in response to music.3.1.3

    4. 4

      Listens and attends to repetitions of culturally and linguistically familiar words, songs or rhymes.3.1.4

    5. 5

      Uses signs or gestures in response to adult’s conversation with them about photos of familiar people.3.1.5

  • 2

    6-18 months3.2

    1. 1

      Exhibits increased participation when books are read: 3.2.1

      1. a

        points 3.2.1.a

      2. b

        makes sounds3.2.1.b

      3. c

        vocalizes3.2.1.c

      4. d

        smiles 3.2.1.d

      5. e

        turns page3.2.1.e

    2. 2

      Makes motions for familiar games, rhymes, songs or finger plays.3.2.2

    3. 3

      Begins to “use” communication tools during imitative play: 3.2.3

      1. a

        uses phone or book3.2.3.a

      2. b

        grasps marker or crayon 3.2.3.b

    4. 4

      makes marks on paper3.2.4

  • 3

    Indicators: 16-36 months 3.3

    1. 1

      Exhibits increased participation with written forms of communication:3.3.1

      1. a

        looks at books, magazines as if reading3.3.1.a

      2. b

        makes sounds that relate to pictures3.3.1.b

      3. c

        turns pages at the right time3.3.1.c

    2. 2

      Recognizes signs and symbols in the environment: identifies stop sign, labels or logos of familiar places/items; memorizes and repeats phrases of songs, books, rhymes.3.3.2

    3. 3

      Increased understanding of communication tools:3.3.3

      1. a

        converses with others using play phone3.3.3.a

      2. b

        tells others what own scribbles mean3.3.3.b

    4. 4

      Shows increased attention when being read to:3.3.4

      1. a

        begins to make observations about the use of words and pictures3.3.4.a

      2. b

        enjoys stories of increasing complexity3.3.4.b

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
PRE-K

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Infant and Toddler Early Learning and Development Standards