I

Approaches to Learning

A

Curiosity and Interest

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

6-year-olds – See this age across all domains Early elementary

What educators might observe

• Locates an informational text in the classroom to find out about topics they are interested in
• Asks questions of experts (e.g., during a field trip to the waste treatment plant, child asks questions about how the pipes are connected)

B

Initiative

Child pursues their own goals.

6-year-olds – See this age across all domains Early elementary

What educators might observe

• Thinks of ideas for stories they want to write about
• Volunteers to help with classroom chores
• Talks to an educator about how to solve a social problem (e.g., talks about homeless people they see on the way to school and asks how we might offer shelter to them)

C

Persistence and Attentiveness

Child focuses on tasks and perseveres in accomplishing them.

6-year-olds – See this age across all domains Early elementary

What educators might observe

• Sustains interest in a chapter book the educator is reading the class over the course of several weeks
• Reflects on their work and makes changes based on feedback from peers or educators

D

Creativity and Inventiveness

Child uses their imagination to create and invent.

6-year-olds – See this age across all domains Early elementary

What educators might observe

• Uses their knowledge of science or social studies in creating (e.g., finds a beetle and makes a home for it with leaves and sticks)
• Collaborates with peers to create a project over time (e.g., works together in a small group to paint the backdrop for a play)
• Uses a familiar story as the basis to tell a new version (e.g., learns several Anansi stories and then makes up their own story about a tricky spider)