Products & Materials

The Early Childhood Data Science Learning Framework leverages the growing importance of data science to help young children begin understanding data in meaningful ways. The framework expands how we think about data for early learners and supports children in developing the skills they need to explore, interpret, and communicate information about the world around them.

By engaging with data investigations early, children build foundational abilities that support school success, future career pathways, and active participation in today’s data-rich society.

The framework is designed primarily for:

• Curriculum and media developers

• Education researchers

• Learning designers and producers

While it is not a curriculum, early childhood educators will find it a valuable resource—particularly the classroom activity vignettes that illustrate how data science learning can look in practice.

The framework focuses on children ages 4–7, with example activities tailored to two developmental stages:

• Pre-K (ages 4–5)

• Kindergarten–Grade 1 (ages 6–7)

The framework includes two interconnected parts:

Learning Goals

Eight Learning Goals, each with supporting sub-goals, outline the key concepts and practices children develop as they explore data. The framework also highlights social-emotional mindsets that help children successfully engage in data investigations.

Classroom Activity Vignettes

A collection of example classroom activities demonstrates how data science learning can take shape with young children. Each Learning Goal is connected to multiple vignettes that show what the learning looks like in both Pre-K and K–1 settings.

Click here to download and explore the framework and discover ways to support young learners as they begin making sense of data in the world around them.