Common Planner
K–12 Standards

Approaches to Learning

Other Tennessee Early Learning Developmental Standards sets

Creativity: Actively engage in learning with curiosity, flexibility, and openness to new ideas.

  • 1

    Independently interact with a variety of materials through multiple play activities. PK.AL.CR.1

  • 2

    Self-select play activities to support own curiosity and to engage in pretend and imaginative play (e.g., testing theories, acting out imagination). PK.AL.CR.2

  • 3

    Choose materials/props and use novel ways to represent ideas, characters, and objects in symbolic play.PK.AL.CR.3

  • 4

    Demonstrate a willingness to engage in new experiences and activities.PK.AL.CR.4

Self-Regulation: Engage in learning to effectively plan and problem solve. 

  • 5

    Maintain focus appropriate to completing a task and/or learning activity. PK.AL.SR.5

  • 6

    Persist in solving a problem or question, with adult prompting.PK.AL.SR.6

  • 7

    Reflect and plan a logical series of steps to accomplish a task, such as writing a message, completing a puzzle, drawing a picture, or building a block structure. PK.AL.SR.7

Critical Thinking: Actively inquire and reflect about new ideas and activities.

  • 8

    Seek additional clarity to further own knowledge (e.g., asks what, how, why, when, where, and/or what if).PK.AL.CT.8

  • 9

    Demonstrate an awareness of connection between prior and new knowledge.PK.AL.CT.9

  • 10

    Identify a problem and attempt multiple ways to solve it, with or without assistance. PK.AL.CT.10

Communication: Actively engage in conversations with adults and peers.

  • 11

    Ask and respond to questions with peers and adults in individual and group activities.PK.AL.CO.11

  • 12

    Seek assistance and/or information when needed to complete a task.PK.AL.CO.12

Collaboration: Actively engage in learning with other people.

  • 13

    Engage in play-based, student-directed activities with a peer or peers (e.g., dramatic play, block building, symbolic play in recess) for at least 15 consecutive minutes, at multiple times throughout the year.PK.AL.CB.13

  • 14

    Demonstrate a willingness to collaborate with others to solve a problem.PK.AL.CB.14

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
PRE-K and Kindergarten
Where can I read the official document?
Tennessee Early Learning Developmental Standards

Keep exploring

Keep exploring Early Learning Developmental Standards standards

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

More Tennessee Early Learning Developmental Standards sets

Early Learning Developmental Standards