Approaches to Learning

Engagement and Persistence1

  • a

    Engages in new and unfamiliar experiences and activities. 1.a

    1. 1

      Attends to surroundings (e.g., adults/objects/sounds). 1.a.1

    2. 2

      Shows excitement when introduced to new and unfamiliar experiences and activities.1.a.2

    3. 3

      Imitates new skills and/or activities demonstrated by an adult. 1.a.3

    4. 4

      Repeats a new activity many times to gain confidence and skill. 1.a.4

    5. 5

      Gathers new information and explores new play and tasks with adult encouragement. 1.a.5

    6. 6

      Explores new and unfamiliar play, tasks, and experiences independently.1.a.6

    7. 7

      Applies new strategies to prior experience and/or activity through refining own actions.1.a.7

  • b

    Completes activities with increasingly complex steps. 1.b

    1. 1

      Attends to language. 1.b.1

    2. 2

      Engages in back-and-forth interactions with caregiver. 1.b.2

    3. 3

      Responds to simple directives or requests. 1.b.3

    4. 4

      Participates in adult-led daily routines. 1.b.4

    5. 5

      Anticipates what comes next in an activity with a familiar sequence (routine). 1.b.5

    6. 6

      Follows a one-step direction independently. 1.b.6

    7. 7

      Relies on model to complete an activity with multiple steps. 1.b.7

    8. 8

      Follows two-step directions independently. 1.b.8

    9. 9

      Follows familiar three-step directions.1.b.9

    10. 10

      Completes an unfamiliar activity with multiple steps independently.1.b.10

  • c

    Persists in completing a task with increasing concentration. 1.c

    1. 1

      Exhibits interest in people and things in surrounding environment. 1.c.1

    2. 2

      Maintains engagement briefly in interactions with a familiar person or preferred object(s).  1.c.2

    3. 3

      Resumes focus on a person or an activity after a brief distraction or interruption. 1.c.3

    4. 4

      Makes repeated attempts to complete a task when frustrated or challenged. 1.c.4

    5. 5

      Carries out tasks, activities, or experiences from beginning to end. 1.c.5

Mindset2

  • a

    Develops a growth mindset. 2.a

    1. 1

      Explores to understand an unknown. 2.a.1

    2. 2

      Demonstrates awareness of own abilities to accomplish simple tasks or activities.  2.a.2

    3. 3

      Demonstrates a mindset that continued effort makes hard things easier to do. 2.a.3

    4. 4

      Recognizes and expresses self-confidence in growing abilities. 2.a.4

    5. 5

      Recognizes and shares in celebration of another’s growing abilities.2.a.5

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
PRE-K and Kindergarten
Where can I read the official document?
Early Learning and Development Standards