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

Subdomain: Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning

Goal: Children use their senses to construct knowledge about the world around them

Skill Progression: Constructs knowledge

Age: 54-60 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 54-60 Months.

Observe the child in an art activity with pictures and letters. Have a piece of colored paper and pictures from a magazine or photos to glue or tape down on the paper. Have paper, foam, or plastic letters the child can glue down on the paper.

Let the child pick a photo or picture she likes and glue it onto the “picture frame.” Ask what she wants to call the picture. Hand the child the letters, in order, to lay on the paper to spell out the word or words the child said.

Observe how the child orients the picture and the letters. Notice how they monitor the amount and placement of the glue or tape on the picture.

At this age children become aware that letters can help them express their ideas along with objects and pictures. Early childhood educators and parents can provide magnetic letters, scissors for cutting out letters from magazines, or markers for drawing letters. Suggest they add these to their pictures and other art work to help others understand their ideas.