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K–12 Standards

Area 3: Approaches to Learning

Other Iowa Early Learning Standards sets

Demonstrates curiosity and initiative3.1

  •  

    Birth-12 months

    1. A

      Shows interest in body and environment3.1.A

    2. B

      Utilizes senses to choose, explore and manipulate objects or toys in a variety of ways3.1.B

    3. C

      Notices and imitates gestures3.1.C

    4. D

      Repeats actions to see effects3.1.D

    5. E

      Shows interest in peers, adults, objects and events3.1.E

    6. F

      Begins to demonstrate preferences for objects and materials3.1.F

  •  

    Approximately 12-24 months

    1. G

      Demonstrate learning by repeating familiar and new experiences3.1.G

    2. H

      Actively engages with or near adults, peers and materials3.1.H

    3. I

      Seeks information by using gestures, shared attention and early language to express interest3.1.I

  •  

    Approximately 24-36 months

    1. J

      Intentionally chooses a variety of materials and experiences, seeking out new challenges3.1.J

    2. K

      Enjoys accomplishing simple goals3.1.K

    3. L

      Seeks information by combining gestures, shared attention and early language to express curiosity and interest3.1.L

  •  

    Approximately 3-4 years

    1. M

      Participates in activities with increasing independence3.1.M

    2. N

      Demonstrates learning by practicing familiar skills in new ways to explore ideas and increase independence3.1.N

    3. O

      Demonstrates curiosity by noticing differences, expressing uncertainty and seeking information from others3.1.O

    4. P

      Asks questions about a variety of topics 3.1.P

  •  

    Approximately 4-5 years

    1. Q

      Uses personal interests to engage in and extend learning experiences3.1.Q

    2. R

      Participates in experiences with flexibility, imagination and independence 3.1.R

    3. S

      Uses background knowledge and curiosity to ask questions informing new learning3.1.S

Participates through engagement and persistence3.2

  •  

    Birth-12 months

    1. A

      Participates in shared interactions with familiar adults:3.2.A

      1. a

        Attends to faces, voices and movement 3.2.A.a

      2. b

        Calms with familiar adults3.2.A.b

      3. c

        Briefly focuses on sights, sounds or touch3.2.A.c

    2. B

      Engages in experiences by attending, exploring and responding to people and materials3.2.B

    3. C

      Observes behavior of others3.2.C

  •  

    Approximately 12-24 months

    1. D

      Participates in familiar routines3.2.D

    2. E

      Uses gestures or sounds to stay involved3.2.E

    3. F

      Imitates behaviors of others3.2.F

    4. G

      Engages in self-initiated, unstructured play with increased concentration (solo play)3.2.G

    5. H

      Moves toward preferred activities3.2.H

  •  

    Approximately 24-36 months

    1. I

      Repeats experiences with objects, adults and peers to build knowledge and understanding3.2.I

    2. J

      Sustains attention with people, objects or experiences:3.2.J

      1. a

        Increases concentration and persistence in activities for longer periods3.2.J.a

      2. b

        Seeks adult help to remain engaged3.2.J.b

      3. c

        Returns to an activity after interruption3.2.J.c

      4. d

        Begins directing own play3.2.J.d

    3. K

      Plays alongside or near others (parallel play)3.2.K

  •  

    Approximately 3-4 years

    1. L

      Participates in learning experiences with focus despite distractions3.2.L

    2. M

      Follows group expectations and directions with guidance3.2.M

    3. N

      Initiates play experiences based on interests or goals3.2.N

    4. O

      Engages in shared play with peers (associative play)3.2.O

    5. P

      Adjusts behavior to stay engaged socially3.2.P

  •  

    Approximately 4-5 years

    1. Q

      Actively participates in learning experiences with sustained focus, independence and purpose3.2.Q

    2. R

      Participates independently and collaboratively3.2.R

    3. S

      Re-engages in activities after minor distractions or a delay in time3.2.S

    4. T

      Plans and organizes play (cooperative play): 3.2.T

      1. a

        Negotiates roles and ideas with peers3.2.T.a

      2. b

        Collaborates towards shared goals3.2.T.b

      3. c

        Seeks and provides peer support to resolve conflicts3.2.T.c

Demonstrates cognitive flexibility and problem-solving skills3.3

  •  

    Birth-12 months

    1. A

      Expresses needs through cries, facial expressions or body movements3.3.A

    2. B

      Looks to familiar adult for support when experiencing difficulty3.3.B

    3. C

      Explores through repeated actions:3.3.C

      1. a

        Repeats the same action to see what happens3.3.C.a

      2. b

        Stops and watches when an action causes a new result3.3.C.b

      3. c

        Increase intentional actions with objects or people3.3.C.c

      4. d

        Understands people, things and objects continue to exist even when they are out of sight (object permanence)3.3.C.d

  •  

    Approximately 12-24 months

    1. D

      Uses gestures or sounds to request assistance3.3.D

    2. E

      Uses trial and error to explore solutions and achieve goals:3.3.E

      1. a

        Repeats actions to achieve a desired outcome3.3.E.a

      2. b

        Changes actions slightly when something doesn't work3.3.E.b

      3. c

        Tries again after brief frustration3.3.E.c

      4. d

        Looks to adults for help after attempts 3.3.E.d

  •  

    Approximately 24-36 months

    1. F

      Attempts different strategies to solve problems using trial and error:3.3.F

      1. a

        Attempts several strategies to solve a problem3.3.F.a

      2. b

        Uses familiar strategies first3.3.F.b

      3. c

        Persists briefly before seeking help3.3.F.c

    2. G

      Recognizes difficulties:3.3.G

      1. a

        Adjusts actions as needed3.3.G.a

      2. b

        Seek assistance using gestures or words3.3.G.b

    3. H

      Begins imaginative play, using objects in imaginative ways3.3.H

  •  

    Approximately 3-4 years

    1. I

      Shows interest in finding possible solutions to questions, tasks or problems3.3.I

    2. J

      Demonstrates emerging flexibility by trying different approaches to solve problems:3.3.J

      1. a

        Tries alternative solutions when encouraged3.3.J.a

      2. b

        Adjusts approach after feedback3.3.J.b

      3. c

        Experiments with materials in new ways 3.3.J.c

    3. K

      Persists when faced with challenges3.3.K

    4. L

      Attempts to solve problems and accepts help when offered3.3.L

  •  

    Approximately 4-5 years

    1. M

      Uses trial and error strategically to test solutions and solve problems:3.3.M

      1. a

        Selects strategies intentionally3.3.M.a

      2. b

        Uses previous experiences to guide attempts3.3.M.b

      3. c

        Tries multiple solutions, independently3.3.M.c

      4. d

        Reflects on what worked and why3.3.M.d

      5. e

        Seeks help after sustained effort3.3.M.e

    2. N

      Recognizes and solves problems through active exploration, interactions and discussions:3.3.N

      1. a

        Shares ideas3.3.N.a

      2. b

        Seeks and accepts help when encountering a problem3.3.N.b

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
PRE-K
Where can I read the official document?
IOWA EARLY LEARNING STANDARDS 4th Edition June 2026

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