Childhood Map

Discover the amazing things 5-year-olds are learning — from climbing and jumping to friendships, feelings, and first words on a page. Each skill comes with fun activities you can try together.

Physical & Motor 8 › Sensory 8 › Executive 7 › Cognitive 6 › Language 5 › Communication 5 › Emotional 5 › Social 6 › Self-Care 7 › Literacy 4 › Math 5 › Creative & Artistic 5 › World & Science 5 ›
by Robert Pankowecki
Communication & Pragmatics

The social use of language — how children use verbal and non-verbal means to interact, share meaning, and navigate social situations.

Sources (5)
  • Head Start ELOF (Language & Communication)
  • SLP Standards (Pragmatic Language)
  • CASEL (Relationship Skills)
  • UK EYFS (Communication & Language)
  • Teaching Strategies GOLD
5 Subdomains
Conversational Skills › Social & Pragmatic Language › Theory of Mind › Narrative & Discourse Skills › Non-Verbal Communication ›
Conversational Skills

Participating in back-and-forth exchanges with appropriate turn-taking, topic maintenance, and repair.

Examples & Achievements

  • Takes turns in conversation without interrupting (most of the time)
  • Stays on topic for 3+ conversational turns
  • Initiates conversations with peers and adults
  • Asks relevant questions to continue a conversation
  • Repairs communication breakdowns ("I mean...", "no, the other one")

How to Measure

  • Maintains topic across 3+ conversational turns in a natural setting
  • Initiates conversation with a peer at least once during free play (observed)
  • Demonstrates conversational repair when misunderstood (observed)
  • Teaching Strategies GOLD Objective 10 (conversation skills)
Sources (3)
  • SLP Standards
  • Head Start ELOF
  • EYFS

Childhood Map › Communication & Pragmatics

Conversational Skills

Participating in back-and-forth exchanges with appropriate turn-taking, topic maintenance, and repair.

Examples & Achievements

How to Measure

Sources