Approaches to Learning Domain
The Approaches to Learning domain addresses how children learn- this includes children’s attitudes and interests in learning. This domain reflects behaviors and attitudes such as curiosity, problem-solving, maintaining attention and persistence.
Online Activities for Approaches to Learning
Book Suggestions for Approaches to Learning
Infants & Toddlers
Infants and toddlers’ interest in the world around them influence their learning. They learn through their senses.
- Tasting
- Touching
- Smelling
- Listening
- Looking
When adults support their efforts in a safe and secure environment, infants and toddlers are willing to try new things and take risks. Encouraging exploration gives young children emotional security, which is necessary for exploring, growing and learning.
Children
As children move into preschool, they are able to concentrate for longer periods of time and persist towards competing tasks after encountering obstacles. This is a time for children to develop specific areas of interest. They become more confident in their ability to learn through play and explore how the world works.
What You Can Do
Adults, caregivers and teachers can help children develop positive learning approaches by setting up safe environments and offering a variety of learning materials that children can explore. Encouraging curiosity, creativity, problem solving, and risk-taking will help child development.
It’s important that teachers recognize that children vary in learning styles. These differences may be the result of the child’s temperament, cultural differences, and/or disabilities that may affect how children process information. Teachers and caregivers must be attuned to these differences and provide support and guidance. The Early Learning Guidelines describe important approaches to learning that early childhood educators should foster as they work with young children, while also respecting individual learning.
Curiosity, Information-Seeking, and Eagerness
Developmental Indicator Continuum
Infants (Birth - 12 months) |
Younger Toddlers (8 - 21 months) |
Older Toddlers (18 - 36 months) |
Younger Preschoolers (36 - 48 months) |
Older Preschoolers (45 - 60+ months) |
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Curiosity, Information-Seeking, and Eagerness
Developmental Indicator Continuum
Infants (Birth - 12 months) |
Younger Toddlers (8 - 21 months) |
Older Toddlers (18 - 36 months) |
Younger Preschoolers (36 - 48 months) |
Older Preschoolers (45 - 60+ months) |
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Initiative, Effort, Engagement, and Persistence
Developmental Indicator Continuum
Infants (Birth - 12 months) |
Younger Toddlers (8 - 21 months) |
Older Toddlers (18 - 36 months) |
Younger Preschoolers (36 - 48 months) |
Older Preschoolers (45 - 60+ months) |
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Initiative, Effort, Engagement, and Persistence
Developmental Indicator Continuum
Infants (Birth - 12 months) |
Younger Toddlers (8 - 21 months) |
Older Toddlers (18 - 36 months) |
Younger Preschoolers (36 - 48 months) |
Older Preschoolers (45 - 60+ months) |
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Initiative, Effort, Engagement, and Persistence
Developmental Indicator Continuum
Infants (Birth - 12 months) |
Younger Toddlers (8 - 21 months) |
Older Toddlers (18 - 36 months) |
Younger Preschoolers (36 - 48 months) |
Older Preschoolers (45 - 60+ months) |
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Risk-Taking, Problem-Solving, Flexibility, and Resiliency
Developmental Indicator Continuum
Infants (Birth - 12 months) |
Younger Toddlers (8 - 21 months) |
Older Toddlers (18 - 36 months) |
Younger Preschoolers (36 - 48 months) |
Older Preschoolers (45 - 60+ months) |
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Risk-Taking, Problem-Solving, Flexibility, and Resiliency
Developmental Indicator Continuum
Infants (Birth - 12 months) |
Younger Toddlers (8 - 21 months) |
Older Toddlers (18 - 36 months) |
Younger Preschoolers (36 - 48 months) |
Older Preschoolers (45 - 60+ months) |
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Play and Imagination
Developmental Indicator Continuum
Infants (Birth - 12 months) |
Younger Toddlers (8 - 21 months) |
Older Toddlers (18 - 36 months) |
Younger Preschoolers (36 - 48 months) |
Older Preschoolers (45 - 60+ months) |
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Play and Imagination
Developmental Indicator Continuum
Infants (Birth - 12 months) |
Younger Toddlers (8 - 21 months) |
Older Toddlers (18 - 36 months) |
Younger Preschoolers (36 - 48 months) |
Older Preschoolers (45 - 60+ months) |
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