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
Self-Care & Adaptive Skills

Daily living skills that support independence, personal care, and taking responsibility for oneself and one's environment.

Sources (6)
  • Montessori (Practical Life)
  • OT Practice Framework (ADLs)
  • ASQ-3 (Personal-Social)
  • IEP Domains (Adaptive)
  • CDC/AAP Milestones
  • Waldorf/Steiner
7 Subdomains
Dressing › Feeding & Mealtime › Hygiene & Grooming › Toileting › Personal Responsibility & Routines › Safety Awareness › Care of Environment ›
Safety Awareness

Recognizing dangers, following safety rules, and knowing key personal information for emergencies.

Examples & Achievements

  • Knows own full name and address (or parent's phone number)
  • Understands basic road safety (look both ways, hold an adult's hand)
  • Recognizes dangerous situations (hot stove, deep water, unknown animals)
  • Knows not to go with strangers
  • Follows playground safety rules

How to Measure

  • States own full name and at least one parent's name when asked
  • Demonstrates safe street-crossing behavior (in a controlled setting)
  • Identifies 3+ dangerous scenarios from pictures and explains why they are dangerous
  • Knows what to do in a fire drill (teacher observation)
Sources (3)
  • CDC/AAP
  • Head Start ELOF
  • IEP

Childhood Map › Self-Care & Adaptive Skills

Safety Awareness

Recognizing dangers, following safety rules, and knowing key personal information for emergencies.

Examples & Achievements

How to Measure

Sources