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
Understanding the World & Scientific Thinking

Exploring, investigating, and making sense of the natural and social world through observation, inquiry, and reasoning.

Sources (7)
  • UK EYFS (Understanding the World)
  • Head Start ELOF (Scientific Reasoning)
  • Montessori (Cultural Studies)
  • HighScope (Science & Technology, Social Studies)
  • E.D. Hirsch ("What Your Kindergartner Needs to Know")
  • Singapore NEL (Discovery of the World)
  • Finland ECEC (Exploring and Interacting with My Environment)
5 Subdomains
Observation & Scientific Inquiry10 › Natural World Knowledge › Cause and Effect › Tools, Technology & Simple Machines8 › People, Culture & Community ›
Natural World Knowledge

Understanding of plants, animals, weather, seasons, habitats, and basic life science concepts.

Examples & Achievements

  • Names common plants and animals in their environment
  • Describes the four seasons and associated weather patterns
  • Understands that living things need food, water, and shelter
  • Knows basic parts of a plant (roots, stem, leaves, flower)
  • Observes and describes daily weather
  • Understands simple life cycles (caterpillar to butterfly, seed to plant)

How to Measure

  • Names 10+ local animals and 5+ local plants
  • Describes characteristics of all 4 seasons
  • Identifies 4 basic parts of a plant
  • Describes the life cycle of one organism (e.g., butterfly) in 3+ stages
  • Daily weather chart participation (can select correct weather symbol)
Sources (5)
  • EYFS
  • Montessori (Cultural)
  • Hirsch
  • Waldorf
  • HighScope

Childhood Map › Understanding the World & Scientific Thinking

Natural World Knowledge

Understanding of plants, animals, weather, seasons, habitats, and basic life science concepts.

Examples & Achievements

How to Measure

Sources