Domain: NC Foundations for Early Learning: Emotional and Social Development (ESD)

Subdomain: Developing a Sense of Self

Goal: Children express positive feelings about themselves and confidence in what they can do.

Skill Progression: Expresses confidence in abilities and persistence toward goals

Age: 27-30 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 27-30 Months.

Watch the child with objects and materials that can be manipulated in numerous ways.

Provide children with pans and lids, plastic nesting bowls and items to put in the pans and bowls, paper or foil that tears, or other such materials.

Observe the child’s exploration of the materials. The child figures out how to combine the materials in interesting ways, with organization, and intentionality.

Encourage parents to let children explore the safe objects in the kitchen and other rooms. Learning about space and relationships comes from comparing and discovering how things go together. Demonstrate trial-and-error investigation as a play partner for children.