Domain: NC Foundations for Early Learning: Cognitive Development (CD)

Subdomain: Social Connections

Goal: Children identify and demonstrate acceptance of similarities and differences between themselves and others

Skill Progression: Identify and demonstrate acceptance of similarities and differences

Age: 33-36 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 33-36 Months.

Observe the child in play with younger siblings or relatives. Ask the child who she likes to play with most and why.

Before or after observing the play interactions, ask the child about her best friends and why she likes to play with them. Ask if her friend is a boy or a girl? Is she a boy or a girl too?

The child knows own gender and that of her friends.

Encourage early childhood educators and parents to make positive comments when they see the child make adjustments to accommodate children who are younger or have disabilities. Children are more likely to reach out to children who are different if they think this is an appropriate and expected behavior.