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
Creative & Artistic Expression

Expressing ideas, emotions, and experiences through visual arts, music, movement, dramatic play, and imaginative thinking.

Sources (8)
  • UK EYFS (Expressive Arts & Design)
  • Reggio Emilia (100 Languages)
  • Waldorf/Steiner
  • Montessori (Cultural Studies)
  • Gardner (Musical, Spatial Intelligence)
  • Singapore NEL (Aesthetics & Creative Expression)
  • Finland ECEC (Diverse Forms of Expression)
  • E.D. Hirsch
5 Subdomains
Visual Arts › Music & Rhythm › Dance & Expressive Movement › Dramatic Play & Imagination › Creative Thinking & Innovation ›
Music & Rhythm

Engaging with music through singing, rhythm, movement, listening, and playing simple instruments.

Examples & Achievements

  • Sings familiar songs mostly in tune
  • Claps or taps a steady beat
  • Moves body to match the rhythm and tempo of music
  • Plays simple percussion instruments (tambourine, rhythm sticks, xylophone)
  • Recognizes and names familiar songs
  • Distinguishes between loud/soft, fast/slow, high/low

How to Measure

  • Maintains a steady beat for 10+ seconds while clapping or tapping
  • Sings a familiar song with recognizable melody
  • Matches movements to tempo changes (slow/fast)
  • Identifies 3+ musical concepts (loud/soft, fast/slow, high/low)
  • Teaching Strategies GOLD Objective 34 (music)
Sources (5)
  • Gardner
  • Waldorf
  • EYFS
  • Hirsch
  • Singapore NEL

Childhood Map › Creative & Artistic Expression

Music & Rhythm

Engaging with music through singing, rhythm, movement, listening, and playing simple instruments.

Examples & Achievements

How to Measure

Sources