North Carolina Early Learning and Development Progressions: Birth to Five

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

Subdomain: Social Connections

Goal: Children demonstrate knowledge of relationships and roles within their own families, homes, and communities.

Skill Progression: Demonstrates knowledge of relationships and roles

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List of Skills by Age

1-2 Months

Focuses on parent’s face

2-4 Months

Responds differently to various family members

4-6 Months

Differentiates familiar and unfamiliar faces

6-8 Months

Calmed more easily by familiar adult

8-10 Months

Approaches other children

Plays near parent

10-12 Months

Moves away from the parent, but maintains eye contact

Exhibits separation distress

Recognizes friends and relatives seen frequently

12-15 Months

Enjoys being around other children

Engages in doll play, recreating nurturing of parents

15-18 Months

Parallel play with peers

Interacts with new adults and children

Vocalizes to parents from a distance

18-21 Months

Constantly demands adult’s attention

Imitation and turn taking increases with peers

Knows where to put away toys in the home

21-24 Months

Alternates between clinging and resistance to familiar adults

Role plays family routines

24-27 Months

Names own and others’ possessions

Shares toys, demonstrates some prosocial behavior with peers

Retrieves objects from different parts of the home

27-30 Months

Shares toys, helps others, cooperates in games, shows empathic concern

30-33 Months

May be hesitant or shy around new people; takes time to warm up

Play may reflect sibling or parent-child relationships

33-36 Months

Beginning to form friendships

Associative socio-dramatic play among peers. (play together, but with different goals)

36-42 Months

Silly boisterous humor among peers and siblings

Frequent sibling rivalry and arguments

42-48 Months

Cooperative dramatic play with peers

Shows interest in being part of a group and sits in facilitated group for 20 minutes

Aware of community helpers, recognizes and identifies

48-54 Months

Monitors the emotional state of a group and children within the group

Maintains attention in group activities when interested

54-60 Months

Attempts to please peers, make friends

Participates well in groups; raises hand to talk, takes turns, listens to others

Dramatizes roles of community helpers

 North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, 2015

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