Provide Age-Appropriate Instruction (E.3.2.5)
Sub Category: Curriculum and Standards
Credential Level: Level 2 •
Age Group: Infant, Toddler, Pre-K
COMPETENCY STATEMENT
Provides age-appropriate instruction
DEFINITIONS
Teachers can provide age‑appropriate instruction by planning activities and choosing materials that match where children are developmentally. This means paying attention to what children can do, what they are curious about, and how long they can stay focused. By providing age-appropriate instruction, teachers help them stay engaged, build confidence, and develop the foundation they need for future learning.
EXAMPLES
Provide Age-Appropriate Instruction
Age Group: Infant
Age Group: Infant
In this exemplar video, a teacher provides adequate pacing and follows the infant’s cues during book reading. Notice how the teacher asks questions and pauses, following the child’s lead for participation—an example of providing age-appropriate instruction.
Provide Age-Appropriate Instruction
Age Group: Infant
Age Group: Infant
In this exemplar video, the teacher uses a bear and a toy truck to introduce spatial concepts like “in-out” and “over-under.” Notice how the teacher follows the child’s non-verbal cues—pausing when the child looks at the ear, modeling how the bear goes in and out of the truck bed, and demonstrating over-under concepts using a blanket—an example of providing age-appropriate instruction.
Provide Age-Appropriate Instruction
Age Group: Infant
Age Group: Infant
In this exemplar video, a teacher is demonstrating age-appropriate instruction. Notice how the teacher uses responsive practices by following the child’s interest and maintaining the conversation through follow-up questions—an example of the competency, provides age-appropriate instruction.