Childhood Map

Discover the amazing things 5-year-olds are learning — from climbing and jumping to friendships, feelings, and first words on a page. Each skill comes with fun activities you can try together.

Physical & Motor 8 › Sensory 8 › Executive 7 › Cognitive 6 › Language 5 › Communication 5 › Emotional 5 › Social 6 › Self-Care 7 › Literacy 4 › Math 5 › Creative & Artistic 5 › World & Science 5 ›
by Robert Pankowecki
Communication & Pragmatics

The social use of language — how children use verbal and non-verbal means to interact, share meaning, and navigate social situations.

Sources (5)
  • Head Start ELOF (Language & Communication)
  • SLP Standards (Pragmatic Language)
  • CASEL (Relationship Skills)
  • UK EYFS (Communication & Language)
  • Teaching Strategies GOLD
5 Subdomains
Conversational Skills › Social & Pragmatic Language › Theory of Mind › Narrative & Discourse Skills › Non-Verbal Communication ›
Non-Verbal Communication

Understanding and using gestures, facial expressions, body language, and eye contact in social interactions.

Examples & Achievements

  • Makes appropriate eye contact during conversation
  • Uses gestures to supplement speech (pointing, waving, nodding, shaking head)
  • Reads basic facial expressions (happy, sad, angry, scared, surprised)
  • Understands simple gestures (thumbs up, come here, quiet)
  • Adjusts proximity to others appropriately

How to Measure

  • Correctly identifies 5 basic emotions from photographs of faces
  • Uses eye contact during 70%+ of conversational exchanges (observed)
  • Matches emotions to facial expressions (5 out of 6 correct)
  • Social skills observation checklist - non-verbal items
Sources (3)
  • SLP Standards
  • CASEL
  • Developmental Psychology

Childhood Map › Communication & Pragmatics

Non-Verbal Communication

Understanding and using gestures, facial expressions, body language, and eye contact in social interactions.

Examples & Achievements

How to Measure

Sources