Observe Developmental Behaviors (E1.1.2)

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Sub Category: Child Development: Domains, Stages, and Milestones
Credential Level: Level 2 • Age Group: Infant, Toddler, Pre-K

COMPETENCY STATEMENT

Connects examples of behaviors belonging to each of the developmental domains with children they work with

DEFINITIONS

Teachers help children learn and develop by noticing how their actions and skills match different areas of development—like thinking, moving, talking, and getting along with others. By watching what children do each day, teachers can better understand and monitor each child's development.

EXAMPLES

ASHA Communication Milestones: Age Ranges
Age Group: Infant, Toddler, Pre-K

This webpage outlines typical speech and language behaviors for children from birth to age five. It includes examples like babbling, following directions, and using full sentences. Teachers can use this tool to connect what they observe in children to the language and cognitive domains of development.

CDC Developmental Milestones
Age Group: Infant, Toddler, Pre-K

This webpage provides age-specific milestones in areas like talking, moving, and playing for children from birth to age five. It helps teachers recognize behaviors that match different developmental domains. By comparing these milestones with what they observe in their classrooms, teachers can connect children’s actions to key areas of development.

CIRCLE Infant and Toddler Curriculum-Addressing Developmental Domains
Age Group: Infant, Toddler

This resource highlights behaviors such as babbling, reaching, and responding to others during play. These behaviors are linked to developmental domains and can be observed during daily routines. Teachers can use this curriculum to connect children’s actions to specific areas of growth.

CIRCLE Pre-K Curriculum Teacher’s Manual
Age Group: Pre-K

The CIRCLE Pre-K Curriculum Teacher’s Manual is an implementation tool that helps educators identify behaviors—such as problem-solving, emotional expression, and language use—that align with key developmental domains. It offers practical strategies for observing these behaviors during play and daily routines.

Infant & Toddler DEVELOPMENTAL CHECKLISTS
Age Group: Infant, Toddler

This implementation tool provides developmental milestone checklists for infants, toddlers, and preschool children across different age ranges. Teachers can use the checklists to observe children’s behaviors, connect them to specific developmental domains, and plan appropriate supports based on each child’s development.

WAYS TO PRACTICE

CIRCLE Activity Collection Pre-K to Grade 2 Collection
Age Group: Pre-K

This activity collection organizes activities by age and skill level to show how children’s abilities develop over time. It helps teachers understand typical developmental patterns and see how skills build as children grow. Teachers can use this resource to plan learning experiences that support children’s development and match their current abilities.

CIRCLE Activity Collection-Infant and Toddler Collection
Age Group: Infant, Toddler

The collection includes activities that highlight behaviors like counting, sharing, and using descriptive language. These behaviors reflect growth in cognitive, social-emotional, and language domains. Teachers can use this resource to observe and connect children’s actions to developmental areas.