Common Planner
Sign InCreate My Free Account!
Sign InCreate My Free Account!
K–12 Standards

Area 7: Mathematics

Other Iowa Early Learning Standards sets

Develops an understanding of spatial relationships and shapes7.1

  •  

    Birth-12 months

    1. A

      Begins to reach for objects developing foundational, close-up spatial awareness7.1.A

    2. B

      Explores properties of objects by reaching for and grasping a toy or by mouthing the object7.1.B

    3. C

      Takes objects apart 7.1.C

    4. D

      Fills and empties containers7.1.D

    5. E

      Rolls, crawls and cruises to navigate around obstacles and reach desired items7.1.E

  •  

    Approximately 12-24 months

    1. F

      Takes objects apart and attempts to put them together:7.1.F

      1. a

        Moves and stacks shapes vertically and horizontally7.1.F.a

      2. b

        Experiments with how objects move7.1.F.b

    2. G

      Matches and sorts identical and similar objects7.1.G

    3. H

      Follows simple spatial directions related to position:7.1.H

      1. a

        Up and down7.1.H.a

      2. b

        In and out7.1.H.b

      3. c

        On and off 7.1.H.c

    4. I

      Independently moves body in relation to objects in their environment7.1.I

  •  

    Approximately 24-36 months

    1. J

      Experiments with putting shapes together and taking them apart during play7.1.J

    2. K

      Identifies at least two shapes7.1.K

    3. L

      Notices characteristics, similarities and differences among shapes7.1.L

    4. M

      Uses and follows simple spatial directions related to proximity:7.1.M

      1. a

        On top7.1.M.a

      2. b

        Under7.1.M.b

      3. c

        Behind7.1.M.c

    5. N

      Begins to sort objects by shape7.1.N

    6. O

      Demonstrates an internal mental map of space:7.1.O

      1. a

        Moves body predicting how things fit and move7.1.O.a

      2. b

        Understands relative positions7.1.O.b

  •  

    Approximately 3-4 years

    1. P

      Takes shapes apart into smaller shapes during play or when using puzzles7.1.P

    2. Q

      Matches a wider variety of shapes with the same size and orientation7.1.Q

    3. R

      Identifies and describes most simple shapes7.1.R

    4. S

      Begins to create shapes with various parts7.1.S

    5. T

      Begins to recognize and name common 3D shapes 7.1.T

    6. U

      Demonstrates understanding of complex spatial language related to location, direction and distance7.1.U

  •  

    Approximately 4-5 years

    1. V

      Separates shapes into parts and recombines them to make new shapes or designs7.1.V

    2. W

      Identifies and describes shapes and their attributes7.1.W

    3. X

      Uses basic shapes to build, make or represent objects7.1.X

    4. Y

      Builds structures using 3D shapes and shows how pieces fit together to make new shapes7.1.Y

    5. Z

      Uses spatial language to describe where things are and how they fit together7.1.Z

    6. AA

      Uses complex spatial language related to location, direction and distance7.1.AA

Develops an understanding of number sense (counting, numbers and quantity)7.2

  •  

    Birth-12 months

    1. A

      Expresses a desire for more7.2.A

    2. B

      Notices characteristics of objects7.2.B

    3. C

      Shows awareness of combining and taking away objects7.2.C

  •  

    Approximately 12-24 months

    1. D

      Makes simple comparisons between two objects (attributes)7.2.D

    2. E

      Develops an understanding of quantity by making collections7.2.E

    3. F

      Combines and takes away objects7.2.F

    4. G

      Imitates counting and naming number words without regard to sequence 7.2.G

  •  

    Approximately 24-36 months

    1. H

      Matches objects to other objects in games or sorting activities7.2.H

    2. I

      Groups objects into sets based on a single, shared and visible property7.2.I

    3. J

      Uses language such as more, less or same to compare quantities7.2.J

    4. K

      Uses simple counting in play and interactions, although numbers may occur out of order7.2.K

    5. L

      Recognizes small quantities (1-3) without counting them (subitizing)7.2.L

    6. M

      Begins to recognize small numbers (1-3) in their environment7.2.M

    7. N

      Develops an understanding of changes in quantity7.2.N

  •  

    Approximately 3-4 years

    1. O

      Recognize and organize sets based on multiple attributes7.2.O

    2. P

      Increases ability to quickly recognize collections up to three (subitizing)7.2.P

    3. Q

      Counts up to 10 verbally (stable order principle)7.2.Q

    4. R

      Points and counts up to 10 objects accurately (one to one correspondence)7.2.R

    5. S

      Understands the last number counted represents the total quantity (cardinality)7.2.S

    6. T

      Begins to recognize small numbers (1-3) in their environment.7.2.T

    7. U

      Identifies and names numerals 1-5 independently7.2.U

    8. V

      Combines and separates small groups to show understanding of concepts of addition and subtraction7.2.V

  •  

    Approximately 4-5 years

    1. W

      Makes sets up to five objects and answers the “how many” question with the last number counted7.2.W

    2. X

      Instantly recognizes collections up to five7.2.X

    3. Y

      Counts verbally to at least 10, progressing toward 207.2.Y

    4. Z

      Points and counts 10 - 20 objects accurately7.2.Z

    5. AA

      Uses objects, fingers or drawings to count a group and shows the total with the last number counted 7.2.AA

    6. BB

      Identifies numerals to 10 by name7.2.BB

    7. CC

      Explains changes in quantity7.2.CC

Develops the ability to recognize and understand patterns 7.3

  •  

    Birth-12 months

    1. A

      Demonstrates awareness and anticipation of the order within familiar routines, songs or play activities7.3.A

  •  

    Approximately 12-24 months

    1. B

      Engages in familiar routines, songs or play activities7.3.B

    2. C

      Recognizes sequence of objects in a variety of ways7.3.C

    3. D

      Takes part in or repeat simple patterns with objects, movements or sounds7.3.D

  •  

    Approximately 24-36 months

    1. E

      Notices order in routines and play, showing understanding of how things go together or happen in a certain sequence7.3.E

    2. F

      Creates and repeats simple patterns with objects, movements or sounds7.3.F

  •  

    Approximately 3-4 years

    1. G

      Recognizes when patterns change or end7.3.G

    2. H

      Communicates what comes next in familiar songs, stories or routines7.3.H

    3. I

      Repeats patterns and sequences: 7.3.I

      1. a

        Identifies7.3.I.a

      2. b

        Describes7.3.I.b

      3. c

        Predicts7.3.I.c

  •  

    Approximately 4-5 years

    1. J

      Repeats more complex patterns and sequences:7.3.J

      1. a

        Identifies7.3.J.a

      2. b

        Copies7.3.J.b

      3. c

        Extends7.3.J.c

      4. d

        Creates7.3.J.d

    2. K

      Notices and describes patterns seen in natural and designed settings7.3.K

Develops an understanding of measurement7.4

  •  

    Birth-12 months

    1. A

      Explores objects and notices differences in size, weight or fullness through touch and play7.4.A

  •  

    Approximately 12-24 months

    1. B

      Compares two objects by size, weight or amount/volume during play or routines7.4.B

    2. C

      Makes observations about measurable attributes, noticing sameness and difference7.4.C

  •  

    Approximately 24-36 months

    1. D

      Lines up or stacks objects to compare lengths, weights or amounts and uses words to describe differences7.4.D

    2. E

      Uses vocabulary related to size and quantity to describe measurable attributes7.4.E

  •  

    Approximately 3-4 years

    1. F

      Measures objects using blocks, hands or other tools and explains which is longer, heavier or holds more7.4.F

    2. G

      Demonstrates an understanding of measurable attributes related to length, volume and area7.4.G

  •  

    Approximately 4-5 years

    1. H

      Uses objects or tools to measure and compare size, weight or capacity, describing results in words or numbers7.4.H

    2. I

      Describes attributes of measurement using comparative language7.4.I

Develops an understanding of foundational skills for data analysis7.5

  •  

    Birth-12 months

    1. A

      Expresses a desire for more7.5.A

    2. B

      Notices characteristics of objects7.5.B

    3. C

      Shows awareness of combining and taking away objects7.5.C

  •  

    Approximately 12-24 months

    1. D

      Makes simple comparisons between two objects (attributes)7.5.D

  •  

    Approximately 24-36 months

    1. E

      Begins to identify and communicate observations of simple data sets7.5.E

  •  

    Approximately 3-4 years

    1. F

      Participates in simple data collection with adult support.7.5.F

    2. G

      Uses basic data representation with adult support7.5.G

    3. H

      Interprets simple data with adult support7.5.H

  •  

    Approximately 4-5 years

    1. I

      Collects simple data independently7.5.I

    2. J

      Organizes data using charts, graphs or tables with adult support7.5.J

    3. K

      Interprets data to answer questions with adult support7.5.K

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

Find this useful?

If so, you'll love the standards search built into Common Planner.

Keep exploring

Keep exploring Early Learning Standards standards

Sibling grade bands, other subjects in this jurisdiction, and the same subject across other states.

Early Learning Standards in other jurisdictions

Early Learning Standards