--- title: Approaches to Learning | SDStepAhead description: Discover how children approach learning in their own unique ways. Learn about their curiosity, problem-solving skills, attention span, and persistence. --- [Skip to content](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/approaches-to-learning#main-content) [(605) 773-3678](tel:+16057733678) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. Close - Age-Level Continuum - [Infants (Birth - 12 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/infants) - [Younger Toddlers (8-21 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/young-toddler) - [Older Toddlers (18-36 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/older-toddler) - [Younger Preschooler (33-48 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/younger-preschooler) - [Older Preschooler (45-60+ months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/older-preschoolers) - [Transition to Kindergarten](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/transition-to-kindergarten) - Learning Domains - [Approaches to Learning](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/approaches-to-learning) - [Social Development & Emotional Development](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/social-emotional-development) - [Communication, Language, & Literacy](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/communication-language-literacy) - [Cognitive Development](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/cognitive-development) - [Health & Physical Development](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/health-physical-development) - [Appendix A: Supporting Children With Disabilities](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/appendix-a-supporting-children-with-disabilities) - [Appendix B: Supporting Dual Language Learners](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/appendix-b) - About - [Purpose, Children’s Success & Working Together](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/about-sd-stepahead) - [Guiding Principles](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/guiding-principles) - [SDELG Organization](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/sdlg-organization) - [Using SDStepAhead](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/about-sdstepahead) - [Glossary](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/faqs) - [Find Services](https://sdstepahead.com/find-services) - [Professional Development & Resources](https://sdstepahead.com/resources) - [Contact](https://sdstepahead.com/contact) SEARCH [![SD Step Ahead Logo](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/StepAhead-Logo-Color.png?width=858&height=194&name=StepAhead-Logo-Color.png)](https://sdstepahead.com/?hsLang=en) - Age-Level Continuum - [Infants (Birth - 12 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/infants) - [Younger Toddlers (8-21 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/young-toddler) - [Older Toddlers (18-36 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/older-toddler) - [Younger Preschooler (33-48 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/younger-preschooler) - [Older Preschooler (45-60+ months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/older-preschoolers) - [Transition to Kindergarten](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/transition-to-kindergarten) - Learning Domains - [Approaches to Learning](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/approaches-to-learning) - [Social Development & Emotional Development](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/social-emotional-development) - [Communication, Language, & Literacy](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/communication-language-literacy) - [Cognitive Development](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/cognitive-development) - [Health & Physical Development](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/health-physical-development) - [Appendix A: Supporting Children With Disabilities](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/appendix-a-supporting-children-with-disabilities) - [Appendix B: Supporting Dual Language Learners](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/appendix-b) - About - [Purpose, Children’s Success & Working Together](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/about-sd-stepahead) - [Guiding Principles](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/guiding-principles) - [SDELG Organization](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/sdlg-organization) - [Using SDStepAhead](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/about-sdstepahead) - [Glossary](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/faqs) - [Find Services](https://sdstepahead.com/find-services) - [Professional Development & Resources](https://sdstepahead.com/resources) - [Contact](https://sdstepahead.com/contact) ![](https://sdstepahead.com/hubfs/Many%20children%20hands%20on%20white.jpeg) # Approaches to Learning (AL) [Book Recommendations for Approaches to Learning](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/approaches-to-learning/book-recommendations?hsLang=en) [Adaptations for Individual children](https://sdstepahead.com/hubfs/Home%20Page%20-%20Main/Learning%20Domains/Approaches%20to%20Learning/AL%20adaptations.pdf?hsLang=en) ## Approaches to Learning Domain Children are born with an inclination to learn and to figure things out, but each child approaches learning in his or her own way. The **Approaches to Learning** domain addresses how children learn and includes children’s attitudes toward and interest in learning. It reflects behaviors and attitudes such as curiosity, [***problem-solving***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en), maintaining attention, and [***persistence***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en). These are general characteristics that children display as they learn in all [***domains***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en) and [***curriculum***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en) areas. For infants and toddlers, their approach to learning begins with their openness and interest in the world around them. They learn through their senses; tasting, touching, smelling, listening, and looking at anything and everything in their environment. They also learn through moving their body as they try new actions and see how they can impact the world around them when they do something with objects. When [***adults***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en) support children's efforts, they feel safe and secure and are more willing to try new things and take risks. When [***responsive***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en) adults encourage exploration in a stimulating environment, young children have the emotional [***security***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en) necessary for exploring, growing, and learning. As children move into the preschool years, they begin to establish learning behaviors that are more obviously tied to later school success. They become more confident in their ability to learn, and through [***play***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en), enjoy exploring how the world works. This is also a time when children develop some specific areas of interest and learn different strategies to find out more about those interests. Typically, they are able to concentrate for longer periods of time and are likely to persist towards completion of tasks even after encountering obstacles. Adults can support children in developing positive approaches toward learning by setting up [***safe environments***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en) that offer a selection of interesting [***materials***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en) that children can explore freely. Time to play, explore, and [***experiment***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en) is essential. Adults who encourage children’s [***creativity***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en) and risk-taking help children develop positive attitudes and behaviors that guide their approach to learning. With guidance, technology and interactive media, can also provide opportunities for children to try out creative solutions to problems, ask questions, and find information about new topics. Adults can encourage children to be curious, express creativity, solve problems and initiate efforts during every part of the day in both indoor and outdoor settings. It is important for adults who work with young children to recognize that children vary in their learning styles and in how they express their approach to learning. For example, some children show great enthusiasm for trying new things, while others are more content to sit back and watch. These differences may be the result of the child’s [***temperament***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en), cultural differences in how families encourage children to interact with the environment, and/or disabilities that may affect how children take in information. Adults must be attuned to these differences and provide support and guidance to children as they need it. This domain describes important aspects of approaches to learning that adults should seek to [***foster***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en) as they work with young children while also respecting individual approaches to learning. ![](https://sdstepahead.com/hubfs/Remediation%202026/6-optimized.webp) ## Approaches to Learning Components and Goals ### **Component 1: Curiosity, Information-Seeking, and Eagerness** - **AL Goal - 1:** Children demonstrate curiosity and eagerness and express interest in the world around them. - **AL Goal - 2:** Children actively seek to understand the world around them in play and everyday tasks. ### **Component 2: Initiative, Effort, Engagement, and Persistence** - **AL Goal - 3:** Children demonstrate initiative and effort in play and everyday tasks. - **AL Goal - 4:** Children are engaged and maintain focus in play and everyday tasks. - **AL Goal - 5:** Children persist at challenging activities in play and everyday tasks. ### **Component 3: Risk-Taking, Problem-Solving, Flexibility, and Resiliency** - **AL Goal - 6:** Children are willing to try new and challenging experiences in play and everyday tasks. - **AL Goal - 7:** Children use a variety of strategies to solve problems in play and everyday tasks. ### **Component 4: Play and Imagination** - **AL Goal - 8:** Children engage in increasingly complex play. - **AL Goal - 9:** Children demonstrate creativity, imagination, and inventiveness in play and everyday tasks. Suggestions for Enriching the Environment and Effective Strategies to Support Children's Development and Learning. [Component 1: Curiosity, Information-Seeking, and Eagerness](https://sdstepahead.com/hubfs/PDF%20Files/Approaches%20to%20Learning/AL%20comp%201.1.pdf?hsLang=en) [Component 2: Initiative, Effort, Engagement, and Persistence](https://sdstepahead.com/hubfs/PDF%20Files/Approaches%20to%20Learning/AL%20comp%202.1.pdf?hsLang=en) [Component 3: Risk-Taking, Problem-Solving, Flexibility, and Resiliency](https://sdstepahead.com/hubfs/PDF%20Files/Approaches%20to%20Learning/AL%20comp%203.1.pdf?hsLang=en) [Component 3...cont.](https://sdstepahead.com/hubfs/PDF%20Files/Approaches%20to%20Learning/AL%20comp%203.2.pdf?hsLang=en) [Component 4: Play and Imagination](https://sdstepahead.com/hubfs/PDF%20Files/Approaches%20to%20Learning/AL%20comp%204.0.pdf?hsLang=en)   Back to Top [![Return to SD Step Ahead Supporting Early Learners](https://44290554.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na2.net/hub/44290554/hubfs/Home%20Page%20-%20Main/Logo/StepAhead-Logo-Stacked-White.png?width=250&name=StepAhead-Logo-Stacked-White.png)](https://sdstepahead.com/?hsLang=en)   Our mission is to promote healthy child development by educating, inspiring and assisting parents and caregivers. 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