Communication and Expression
Communication and Expression—Language includes the expression of ideas, feelings, wants and needs; equally important is the ability to listen, understand another person and follow directions. Children increase their language and communication skills by engaging in meaningful experiences that build their general knowledge about the world. Language Development; Literacy Development: Creative Arts and Expression; Receptive and Expressive Language; Social Rules of Language: and Dual Language Learners are the primary domains in this section.
Language Development
- ElementsGoals
- Receptive Language (Listening)Young children attend to, comprehend, and respond to increasingly complex language.
- Expressive Language (Speaking)Young children use increasingly complex vocabulary and grammar to express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas.
- Speaking and Listening (CCSS)Children demonstrate an increasing ability to comprehend and participate in collaborative conversations. Their ability to present information and discuss their ideas increases at each grade level.
- Social Rules of LanguageYoung children initiate and maintain conversations with others while developing knowledge and use of the social rules of language.
- Language (CCSS)Children demonstrate increasing knowledge and use of the conventions of Standard English and an ability to think about language. They gradually acquire a larger & more complex vocabulary and an understanding of word relationships and the nuances in word meanings.
- Dual Language Learners—Receptive and Expressive English Language SkillsYoung children whose home language is not English, demonstrate the ability to listen, understand, and respond to increasing more complex spoken English.
Literacy Development
- ElementsGoals
- Foundational Reading SkillsChildren develop the foundational skills needed for engaging with print, reading and writing.
- Reading -- Engagement with Literature and Informational TextEngagement with Literature and Informational: Children develop "book language" and demonstrate comprehension
- Reading -- Reading LiteratureChildren demonstrate knowledge of the key ideas and details of stories read to them and which they read, the craft and structure of literature, the ability to integrate knowledge and ideas, and to read a range of text with text complexity appropriate to their grade level.
- Reading -- Reading Informational TextReading Informational Text: Children demonstrate knowledge of the key ideas and details of stories read to them and which they read, the craft and structure of informational texts, the ability to integrate knowledge and ideas, and to read a range of text with text complexity appropriate to their grade level.
- WritingChildren demonstrate the understanding that writing is a means for communication. With increasing fine motor skills and experiences with literacy, children begin to use writing conventions.Children demonstrate their increasing ability to write various types of text for different purposes, organize their writing around a topic, participate and eventually conduct research to gather information to use in their writing about a topic.
- Dual Language Learners—Literacy in EnglishYoung children, whose home language is not English, demonstrate an increasing ability to engage in literacy experiences in English.
Creative Arts and Expression
- ElementsGoals
- Visual ArtsChildren create art using a variety of tools and art media to express their ideas, feelings, creativity; and develop appreciation of the art created by others.
- MusicChildren engage in making and listening to music as a vehicle for expression and learning.
- Theatre (Dramatic Play)Children engage in making and listening to music as a vehicle for expression and learning.
- Dance (Dramatic Play)Children use movement to creatively express their ideas and feelings and to learn.