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 ›
Visual Arts

Creating visual works through drawing, painting, sculpting, collage, and other media.

Examples & Achievements

  • Draws recognizable people, animals, and objects
  • Paints using multiple colors intentionally
  • Models shapes and figures with clay or playdough
  • Creates collages using various materials (paper, fabric, natural objects)
  • Experiments with different art tools (brushes, sponges, stamps, rollers)
  • Describes own artwork and the choices made

How to Measure

  • Creates a drawing with 5+ recognizable elements
  • Uses 3+ colors purposefully in a painting
  • Creates a 3D form from clay or playdough that represents an intended object
  • Teaching Strategies GOLD Objective 33 (visual arts)
Sources (5)
  • EYFS
  • Reggio Emilia
  • Waldorf
  • Montessori
  • Hirsch

Childhood Map › Creative & Artistic Expression

Visual Arts

Creating visual works through drawing, painting, sculpting, collage, and other media.

Examples & Achievements

How to Measure

Sources