I

Approaches to Learning

A

Curiosity and Interest

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

3-year-olds – See this age across all domains Preschool

Ways educators might support the child's development

• When a child asks a “why” question:
  • Restate their question
  • Acknowledge their curiosity (“That’s an interesting question!”)
  • Ask what they think the answer might be
  • Talk together about how you might find the answer
  • Go together to consult an expert, look for a relevant book, or visit a website
• Welcome the child to contribute to caregiving routines
• Join the child in making up stories

B

Initiative

Child pursues their own goals.

3-year-olds – See this age across all domains Preschool

Ways educators might support the child's development

• Include duplicates of toys in the learning environment so that multiple children can play next to each other simultaneously
• Help children to initiate play by giving verbal cues (e.g., “Your turn! Now it’s Chelsea’s turn, which means that you run and try to catch her!”)
• Involve the child in small group activities where they can contribute, participate, take turns, and anticipate as well as initiate turn-taking

C

Persistence and Attentiveness

Child focuses on tasks and perseveres in accomplishing them.

3-year-olds – See this age across all domains Preschool

Ways educators might support the child's development

• Follow the child’s lead in play; this may mean that the child assigns a role to the educator, often with the educator being a child, and the child assuming an adult role
• Though materials in the learning environment should be rotated, allow for previously used materials to reappear at the child’s request, and keep materials that the children are actively engaged with available to them
• Allow for ample time for the child to practice tasks such as dressing themselves and to develop self-help skills

D

Creativity and Inventiveness

Child uses their imagination to create and invent.

3-year-olds – See this age across all domains Preschool

Ways educators might support the child's development

• Provide access in the learning environment to open-ended materials children can use in a variety of ways
  • Blank paper of different sizes, textures, and colors
  • Watercolor and tempera paints
  • Pencils, colored pencils, crayons, and markers
  • Collage materials such as origami paper, pom-poms, and buttons
  • S culpture materials, such as pipe cleaners and cardboard
  • Pieces of cloth in a pretend area
  • Boxes
  • Scissors
  • Masking tape and glue
• Guide the child’s use of materials, noticing and commenting on their actions