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K–12 Standards

Area 5: Creative Arts

Other Iowa Early Learning Standards sets

Participates in a variety of art-related experiences5.1

  •  

    Birth-12 months

    1. A

      Gazes at a visual or mirror image5.1.A

    2. B

      Manipulates and explores play materials within the environment5.1.B

    3. C

      Engages with textures, colors and the multisensory nature of art materials5.1.C

  •  

    Approximately 12-24 months

    1. D

      Expresses interest in artrelated experiences and media 5.1.D

    2. E

      Engages in experiences that encourage creative expression5.1.E

    3. F

      Experiments with a variety of art materials5.1.F

    4. G

      Scribbles, focuses on the joy of motion rather than representation of shapes or symbols 5.1.G

  •  

    Approximately 24-36 months

    1. H

      Explores and uses a range of drawing and art materials to create original works5.1.H

    2. I

      Describes their own artwork5.1.I

    3. J

      Imitates drawing circular motions and simple lines; begins to ‘name’ scribbles after they are finished5.1.J

  •  

    Approximately 3-4 years

    1. K

      Demonstrates care and persistence in art projects5.1.K

    2. L

      Connects artwork to personal experiences or surroundings5.1.L

    3. M

      Connects drawn shapes to their physical world:5.1.M

      1. a

        Names scribbles5.1.M.a

      2. b

        Creates simple, symbolic representations of people or objects5.1.M.b

    4. N

      Chooses colors based on preference and not reality5.1.N

    5. O

      Begins to revise and/or expand on ideas by revisiting art projects5.1.O

  •  

    Approximately 4-5 years

    1. P

      Creates two- and threedimensional works of art while experimenting with color, line, shape, form, texture and space5.1.P

    2. Q

      Expresses ideas about own artwork and the artwork of others:5.1.Q

      1. a

        Relates artwork to what is happening in the environment5.1.Q.a

      2. b

        Relates artwork to what is happening in life experiences5.1.Q.b

    3. R

      Creates drawings: 5.1.R

      1. a

        Shows clear sense of space5.1.R.a

      2. b

        Arranges objects in a logical, orderly fashion5.1.R.b

      3. c

        Draws figures with three or more body parts5.1.R.c

    4. S

      Uses imagination with materials to create stories or works of art5.1.S

    5. T

      Plans and works cooperatively to create art projects5.1.T

Participates in a variety of rhythm, music and movement experiences5.2

  •  

    Birth-12 months

    1. A

      Responds to songs, tones, rhythms, voices and music5.2.A

    2. B

      Interacts with others through touch, motion and sensory exploration5.2.B

    3. C

      Imitates motion5.2.C

    4. D

      Moves and adjusts to faster/slower music5.2.D

    5. E

      Explores a variety of ageappropriate instruments and sound-making objects5.2.E

  •  

    Approximately 12-24 months

    1. F

      Moves body to music5.2.F

    2. G

      Participates in simple backand-forth interactions with another child or adult:5.2.G

      1. a

        Through touch, motion and sensory exploration5.2.G.a

      2. b

        Imitation5.2.G.b

      3. c

        Vocal imitation and filling in words (extension)5.2.G.c

    3. H

      Experiments with a variety of age-appropriate instruments and soundmaking objects:5.2.H

      1. a

        Volume5.2.H.a

      2. b

        Tone5.2.H.b

      3. c

        Characteristics5.2.H.c

  •  

    Approximately 24-36 months

    1. I

      Chooses and participates in music and movement experiences with others5.2.I

    2. J

      Sings simple songs5.2.J

    3. K

      Participates in finger plays5.2.K

    4. L

      Recognizes rhythms and patterns throughout their day5.2.L

  •  

    Approximately 3-4 years

    1. M

      Participates in a variety of musical and rhythmic experiences5.2.M

    2. N

      Participates in a variety of imaginative and/or creative musical experiences5.2.N

    3. O

      Recognizes patterns:5.2.O

      1. a

        Fills in words in songs and/or rhymes5.2.O.a

      2. b

        Joins in on a rhythm5.2.O.b

      3. c

        Repeats a simple rhythm5.2.O.c

    4. P

      Demonstrates an awareness of music and sound as part of daily life 5.2.P

  •  

    Approximately 4-5 years

    1. Q

      Identifies differences in sounds:5.2.Q

      1. a

        Long and short sounds (rhythm)5.2.Q.a

      2. b

        High and low sounds (pitch)5.2.Q.b

      3. c

        Fast and slow sounds (tempo)5.2.Q.c

      4. d

        Differences between instruments or sounds (timbre)5.2.Q.d

    2. R

      Describes feelings and reactions in response to diverse musical genres and styles5.2.R

    3. S

      Creates own songs and movements5.2.S

    4. T

      Vocalizes and uses instruments in more complex music/songs5.2.T

Engages in a variety of dramatic play experiences5.3

  •  

    Birth-12 months

    1. A

      Imitates sounds, facial expressions, gestures or behaviors of another person5.3.A

    2. B

      Imitates actions and sounds of animals, people and objects 5.3.B

    3. C

      Engages with toys that represent real objects 5.3.C

    4. D

      Participates in movement games and activities5.3.D

    5. E

      Shows curiosity in books and stories5.3.E

  •  

    Approximately 12-24 months

    1. F

      Uses vocal intonation in play5.3.F

    2. G

      Engages in simple wholegroup dramatics5.3.G

    3. H

      Responds to favorite stories5.3.H

    4. I

      Engages in dramatic play in both indoor and outdoor environments:5.3.I

      1. a

        Imitates simple actions5.3.I.a

      2. b

        Engages in one-step pretend action5.3.I.b

      3. c

        Uses an object to represent a different item5.3.I.c

  •  

    Approximately 24-36 months

    1. J

      Shows creativity and imagination when using materials:5.3.J

      1. a

        Links actions into short play routines5.3.J.a

      2. b

        Role-plays familiar routines from their daily life5.3.J.b

      3. c

        Pretends with less realistic props5.3.J.c

    2. K

      Uses words and/or actions to portray a role, situation or setting5.3.K

    3. L

      Engages in role-play independently or next to other children5.3.L

    4. M

      Acts out simple games or stories with adult support5.3.M

  •  

    Approximately 3-4 years

    1. N

      Interacts with peers in dramatic play experiences:5.3.N

      1. a

        Assumes specific, familiar roles5.3.N.a

      2. b

        Organizes scenarios with a simple theme5.3.N.b

    2. O

      Uses creativity, words, actions and materials to portray a role, situation or setting5.3.O

    3. P

      Increases independence in acting out simple games or stories5.3.P

  •  

    Approximately 4-5 years

    1. Q

      Interacts with peers in dramatic play experiences that become more extended and complex:5.3.Q

      1. a

        Uses increased imagination and fantasy themes5.3.Q.a

      2. b

        Uses invisible or imaginary props5.3.Q.b

      3. c

        Negotiates roles and creates extended narratives5.3.Q.c

    2. R

      Follows simple instructions to recreate a familiar storyline5.3.R

    3. S

      Imagines and clearly describes characters, relationships and settings in dramatic play situations with other children5.3.S

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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