Emotional Development: understanding how and why feelings and emotions occur in self and others and developing effective ways for managing those feelings.1

  • a

    Self Concept1.a

    1. 1

      34-48 months1.a.1

      1. 1

        Begins to see self as an individual with their own wants, needs, skills, and abilities.1.a.1.1

      2. 2

        Chooses individual activities.1.a.1.2

      3. 3

        Expresses self in different roles during pretend play.1.a.1.3

      4. 4

        Compares self with others.1.a.1.4

      5. 5

        Expresses own ideas and opinions.1.a.1.5

      6. 6

        Begins to show awareness of own autonomy and boundaries.1.a.1.6

    2. 2

      46-60 months End of Preschool Standards 1.a.2

      1. 1

        Expresses and/or demonstrates an awareness of self as an individual with certain wants, needs, abilities, characteristics, preferences, and rights. 1.a.2.1

      2. 2

        Demonstrates self-direction by making choices among peers, activities, and materials.1.a.2.2

      3. 3

        Tries new things and improves new skills with practice.1.a.2.3

      4. 4

        Initiates actions or activities with peers. For example, inviting a friend to play.1.a.2.4

      5. 5

        Uses a variety of materials with curiosity and interest. 1.a.2.5

      6. 6

        Shows ability to take care of personal or shared possessions. (e.g. backpack, toys, books).1.a.2.6

      7. 7

        Shows ability to respect personal space and boundaries of other people. (e.g., checking before touching another person or showing concern when stepping on someone’s foot).1.a.2.7

  • b

    Self-Regulation1.b

    1. 1

      34-48 months1.b.1

      1. 1

        Demonstrates understanding of and ability to communicate developmentally appropriate basic safety guidelines.1.b.1.1

      2. 2

        Shows progress in the ability to express and identify feelings, needs, and opinions across learning environments.1.b.1.2

      3. 3

        Shows progress in ability to recognize and communicate feelings and emotions.1.b.1.3

      4. 4

        Shows progress in sharing the attention of a trusted adult caregiver.1.b.1.4

      5. 5

        Shows progress in turn-taking ability.1.b.1.5

      6. 6

        With adult guidance, uses materials and equipment purposefully and safely.1.b.1.6

      7. 7

        Begins to notice the cause and effect of own actions.1.b.1.7

      8. 8

        Develops listening skills with intentional adult instruction and support.(e.g., teaching children that listening can look like giving their attention to others or events in various ways).1.b.1.8

    2. 2

      46-60 months End of Preschool Standards1.b.2

      1. 1

        Expresses wants, thoughts, needs, and feelings through various methods of communication. 1.b.2.1

      2. 2

        Seeks adult support and engages in finding solutions to resolve conflict with peers.1.b.2.2

      3. 3

        With support, listens to instructions before beginning an activity. 1.b.2.3

      4. 4

        With support, demonstrates an understanding of developmentally appropriate rules and routines.1.b.2.4

      5. 5

        With support, demonstrates the ability to follow developmentally appropriate rules and routines.1.b.2.5

      6. 6

        Shows progress in sharing materials with others. 1.b.2.6

      7. 7

        Waits for their turn in simple game or use of equipment.1.b.2.7

      8. 8

        Demonstrates understanding of cause and effect of own actions. 1.b.2.8

      9. 9

        Shows beginning ability to co-regulate emotions and behaviors with a trusted, regulated adult.1.b.2.9

  • c

    Sympathy and Empathy1.c

    1. 1

      34-48 months1.c.1

      1. 1

        Demonstrates a beginning ability to identify basic feelings of self and others in a variety of situations.(e.g., identifying that self or others feels happy, sad, or angry). 1.c.1.1

      2. 2

        Demonstrates ability to be kind to self and others in a variety of situations.1.c.1.2

    2. 2

      46-60 months End of Preschool Standards1.c.2

      1. 1

        Demonstrates empathy through comfort and care of others. (e.g., asking “Are you okay?” or giving/requesting a hug or high-five).1.c.2.1

      2. 2

        Labels emotions of self and others, with support. 1.c.2.2

      3. 3

        Asks “what” and “why” questions to understand the effects of behavior.1.c.2.3

      4. 4

        Shows progress in expressing feelings, needs, and opinions, in difficult situations such as conflicts, without harming self, others, or property.1.c.2.4

  • d

     Adapting to Diverse Settings 1.d

    1. 1

      34-48 months1.d.1

      1. 1

        Explores objects and materials and interacts with others in a variety of new settings.1.d.1.1

      2. 2

        Begins to demonstrate ability to be flexible or adjust to routine or unexpected changes including physical setting, daily schedule, staffing and group size/ attendance.1.d.1.2

    2. 2

      46-60 months End of Preschool Standards1.d.2

      1. 1

        Demonstrates ability to be flexible and adjust to routine or unexpected changes, including physical setting, daily schedule, staffing and group size/attendance, with adult support.1.d.2.1

      2. 2

        Given prior notice (e.g., with a visual schedule or verbal/ nonverbal adult cues), adjusts to changes from one activity/setting to the next.1.d.2.2

      3. 3

        Anticipates, with assistance, what will be needed in diverse settings.1.d.2.3

      4. 4

        Follows rules in new or diverse settings.1.d.2.4

Social Development: a child’s ability to create and sustain meaningful relationships with adults and other children. 2

  • a

    Building Relationships with Others2.a

    1. 1

      34-48 months2.a.1

      1. 1

        Separates from adults in familiar settings, with assistance.2.a.1.1

      2. 2

        Approaches others for assistance when needed. 2.a.1.2

      3. 3

        Offers to assist others.2.a.1.3

      4. 4

        Expresses affection for others.2.a.1.4

      5. 5

        Follows guidance for behavior in different environments.2.a.1.5

      6. 6

        Identifies known safety roles and distinguishes between trusted and unknown adults. 2.a.1.6

      7. 7

        Engages in parallel play (i.e., plays next to or near others without trying to influence the play or behavior of others).2.a.1.7

      8. 8

        Engages in interactive play with others.  2.a.1.8

      9. 9

        Leads or participates in cooperative play with others2.a.1.9

    2. 2

      46-60 months End of Preschool Standards2.a.2

      1. 1

        Asks questions and checks with an adult as needed while exploring their environment.2.a.2.1

      2. 2

        Seeks help when needed for emotional support.2.a.2.2

      3. 3

        Shares information with at least one trusted person.2.a.2.3

      4. 4

        Works independently.2.a.2.4

      5. 5

        Works cooperatively with others to plan, create, and organize activities during play and solve problems as they arise.2.a.2.5

      6. 6

        Participates in group activities.2.a.2.6

      7. 7

        Uses different turn-taking strategies (e.g., trading, setting a timer, etc.).2.a.2.7

      8. 8

        Shows an increased ability to be friendly and flexible in play and to work cooperatively to resolve conflicts with peers.2.a.2.8

      9. 9

        Shows or communicates care or concern for others.2.a.2.9

      10. 10

        Makes friends with others.2.a.2.10

      11. 11

        Notices who is absent from a group setting.2.a.2.11

      12. 12

        Communicates wants and needs in a group setting.2.a.2.12

      13. 13

        Helps self and others when needed.2.a.2.13

      14. 14

        Knows and expresses self as a part of diverse groups. (e.g., family, preschool class, faith community, etc.).2.a.2.14

      15. 15

        Uses play to explore, practice, and understand social roles.2.a.2.15

  • b

    Respecting Similarities and Differences2.b

    1. 1

      34-48 months2.b.1

      1. 1

        Notices similarities and differences in others.2.b.1.1

      2. 2

        Develops relationships with others based upon shared experiences.2.b.1.2

    2. 2

      46-60 months End of Preschool Standards2.b.2

      1. 1

        Recognizes and discusses similarities and differences in others.2.b.2.1

      2. 2

        Notices that other children might communicate differently. (e.g., through nonverbal communication, different languages and/or dialects).2.b.2.2

      3. 3

        Begins to think about a situation from the point of view of others.2.b.2.3

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
PRE-K