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
Understanding the World & Scientific Thinking

Exploring, investigating, and making sense of the natural and social world through observation, inquiry, and reasoning.

Sources (7)
  • UK EYFS (Understanding the World)
  • Head Start ELOF (Scientific Reasoning)
  • Montessori (Cultural Studies)
  • HighScope (Science & Technology, Social Studies)
  • E.D. Hirsch ("What Your Kindergartner Needs to Know")
  • Singapore NEL (Discovery of the World)
  • Finland ECEC (Exploring and Interacting with My Environment)
5 Subdomains
Observation & Scientific Inquiry10 › Natural World Knowledge › Cause and Effect › Tools, Technology & Simple Machines8 › People, Culture & Community ›
Observation & Scientific Inquiry

Noticing details, asking questions, making predictions, and conducting simple investigations.

Examples & Achievements

  • Observes closely and describes what they see in detail
  • Asks "why" and "what if" questions about natural phenomena
  • Makes simple predictions ("I think the ice will melt faster in the sun")
  • Conducts simple experiments with support (sink/float, magnet testing)
  • Compares observations to predictions ("I was right — it did float!")
  • Uses simple tools for investigation (magnifying glass, ruler, balance scale)

How to Measure

  • Makes a prediction and tests it during a simple science activity
  • Describes 3+ observable details about an object or event
  • Uses a magnifying glass to observe and describe small details
  • Head Start ELOF Scientific Inquiry indicators
  • Teaching Strategies GOLD Objective 24 (scientific inquiry)
Sources (4)
  • Head Start ELOF
  • HighScope
  • EYFS
  • Montessori
10 Exercises
Sink or Float Lab › Five Senses Snack Investigation › Ice Melt Race › Nature Detective Field Journal › Mystery Feely Bag › Magnet Mission › Sprout Watch (Bean in a Jar) › Wonder Question Jar › Shadow Tracker › Mini-Beast Stakeout ›

Childhood Map › Understanding the World & Scientific Thinking

Observation & Scientific Inquiry

Noticing details, asking questions, making predictions, and conducting simple investigations.

Examples & Achievements

How to Measure

Sources

10 Exercises & Activities

Sink or Float Lab › Five Senses Snack Investigation › Ice Melt Race › Nature Detective Field Journal › Mystery Feely Bag › Magnet Mission › Sprout Watch (Bean in a Jar) › Wonder Question Jar › Shadow Tracker › Mini-Beast Stakeout ›