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 ›
Tools, Technology & Simple Machines

Using tools for investigation and daily tasks, and beginning to understand basic technology and how things work.

Examples & Achievements

  • Uses tools purposefully (scissors, tape, stapler, hole punch, magnifying glass)
  • Explores how simple machines work (ramp, lever, pulley, wheel)
  • Uses a tablet or computer for age-appropriate learning activities with guidance
  • Understands basic concepts (on/off, open/close, swipe, tap) for digital devices
  • Builds simple structures and tests how they work

How to Measure

  • Uses 5+ common tools appropriately and safely
  • Demonstrates how a ramp or lever works using materials
  • Navigates an age-appropriate app or program with minimal assistance
  • Teaching Strategies GOLD Objective 28 (technology)
Sources (4)
  • HighScope
  • Head Start ELOF
  • Singapore NEL
  • Finland ECEC
8 Exercises
Snip Stories › Magnifying Glass Detective › Constellation Punch Cards › Ramp Race Lab › Pom-Pom Catapult Crew › Bucket Brigade Pulley › Cardboard Wheels Workshop › Tablet Quest ›

Childhood Map › Understanding the World & Scientific Thinking

Tools, Technology & Simple Machines

Using tools for investigation and daily tasks, and beginning to understand basic technology and how things work.

Examples & Achievements

How to Measure

Sources

8 Exercises & Activities

Snip Stories › Magnifying Glass Detective › Constellation Punch Cards › Ramp Race Lab › Pom-Pom Catapult Crew › Bucket Brigade Pulley › Cardboard Wheels Workshop › Tablet Quest ›