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Early EducationResources

January Step Up to School Readiness Goal

kids playing with teacher in classroom

DOMAIN: Cognitive Development

SUBDOMAIN: Scientific Exploration and Knowledge

DEVELOPMENTAL INDICATORS

Infants (Birth to 12 months):

  • Observe and explore natural phenomena indoors and outdoors using all senses (rub hands over grass, life face to feel wind, pat family dog, splash water).

Younger Toddlers (8 to 21 months):

  • Use abilities to observe and explore natural phenomena indoors and outdoors with focus using all senses (notice and interact with small insects, smell flowers, catch falling snow, shuffle through the leaves).

Older Toddlers (18 to 36 months)

  • Participate in the care of living things with guidance and support (water plants, help to feed the classroom pet).
  • Show curiosity and investigate the world of nature indoors and outdoors (pick up rocks, scratch frost on window, ask questions about things seen outdoors).

Younger Preschoolers (36 to 48 months)

  • Participate in the care of living things, with guidance and support (water plants, help to feed classroom pet).
  • Notice and react to the natural world and the outdoor environment
  • Notice and describe characteristics of plants and animals, such as appearance, similarities, differences, behavior, and habitat.

Older Preschoolers (48 to 60+ months)

  • Collect items from nature (rocks, leaves, insects) and classify them using physical characteristics (color, size, shape, texture).
  • Notice and react to the natural world and the outdoor environment.
  • Describe some things plants and animals need to live and grow (sunlight, water, food).
  • Take responsibility for the care of living things (independently feed classroom pet as daily chore, water plant when dry, weed vegetable garden).
  • Notice and describe weather conditions, position of the sun and moon at different times, and seasonal changes.
  • Notice, describe, and attempt to explain properties of materials and changes in substances (metal railing is hot because the sun shines on it; ice melts when it gets warmer).
  • Participate in activities that help to care for the environment and explain why they are important with guidance and support (gathering cans for recycling, planting trees).

Click here for more on Step Up to School Readiness and the SC Early Learning Standards.