I

Approaches to Learning

A

Curiosity and Interest

Child approaches the world with curiosity and develops knowledge about specific topics.

0–9 months – See this age across all domains Infants

What educators might observe

• Will gaze at something that has caught their attention (e.g., a fan, pinwheel, or a mobile)
• Changes behavior when interested in an object, person, or experience (e.g., by becoming quieter or louder, or by changing facial expressions)
• Explores educator’s face, hands, or clothing while feeding, by staring and reaching out to touch their features
• Explores the way objects, such as leaves or applesauce, feel
• Finds objects and puts them in their mouth
• Looks at themselves in the mirror and tries reaching their own reflection

B

Initiative

Child pursues their own goals.

0–9 months – See this age across all domains Infants

What educators might observe

• Actively explores the environment with their senses
• Engages familiar adults in interactions (smiling, approaching, gesturing)
• Rolls or crawls closer to touch an object
• Reaches for something of interest, such as a caregiver’s glasses or a toy
• Tries to hold bottle and feed self

C

Persistence and Attentiveness

Child focuses on tasks and perseveres in accomplishing them.

0–9 months – See this age across all domains Infants

What educators might observe

• Repeatedly shakes rattle to produce noise
• Holds the attention of their caregiver (e.g., smiles, babbles, sustains eye-contact, cries)

D

Creativity and Inventiveness

Child uses their imagination to create and invent.

0–9 months – See this age across all domains Infants

What educators might observe

• Imitates expressions on caregiver’s face
• Shakes, mouths, and drops objects