---
title: "North Dakota’s Early Learning Standards"
id: "22359"
type: "page"
slug: "north-dakota"
published_at: "2026-05-29T16:57:40+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-05-29T16:57:40+00:00"
url: "https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/north-dakota/"
markdown_url: "https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/north-dakota.md"
excerpt: "Standards-alignedAll 8 domains coveredNAEYC & Head Start aligned Browse other states Arizona Colorado Florida Georgia Illinois Indiana Michigan Minnesota Missouri New York North Carolina Ohio Pennsylvania Texas View all 51 states → North Dakota framework overview North Dakota’s ND Early..."
taxonomy_language:
  - "English"
---

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 › North Dakota’s Early Learning Standards

# North Dakota’s Early Learning Standards

## North Dakota’s ND Early Learning Standards: The official early learning framework — all 8 developmental domains and how Experience Curriculum aligns to each one.

Standards-alignedAll 8 domains coveredNAEYC & Head Start aligned

Browse other states

[Arizona](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/arizona/)
[Colorado](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/colorado/)
[Florida](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/florida/)
[Georgia](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/georgia/)
[Illinois](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/illinois/)
[Indiana](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/indiana/)
[Michigan](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/michigan/)
[Minnesota](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/minnesota/)
[Missouri](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/missouri/)
[New York](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/new-york/)
[North Carolina](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/north-carolina/)
[Ohio](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/ohio/)
[Pennsylvania](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/pennsylvania/)
[Texas](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/texas/)
[View all 51 states →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/)

North Dakota framework overview## North Dakota’s ND Early Learning Standards: The official early learning standards framework

North Dakota’s early learning standards are organized under the North Dakota Early Learning Standards Birth to Kindergarten (2018), jointly administered by the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) and North Dakota HHS. The 2018 standards replaced all prior separate age-group documents and apply to licensed childcare programs, Head Start programs, and state-funded preschool programs serving children from birth through kindergarten entry.

North Dakota’s Early Learning Standards define developmental expectations across all 8 domains and guide curriculum planning, developmental assessment, and program quality statewide. *Note: The ND Early Learning Standards are currently under revision per NDDPI. Programs should check [nd.gov/dpi](https://nd.gov/dpi)
 for updates.*

Framework name

North Dakota Early Learning Standards Birth to Kindergarten (2018)

Administered by

North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) and North Dakota HHS

Age range covered

Birth through kindergarten entry

Bright and Early North Dakota

North Dakota’s QRIS is called Bright and Early North Dakota. Programs using a research-based curriculum aligned to North Dakota’s Early Learning Standards support Bright and Early quality improvement goals. Note: North Dakota’s ND Early Learning Standards are currently under revision — programs should monitor nd.gov/dpi for updates.

Explore by developmental domain## North Dakota’s ND Early Learning Standards domains and Experience Curriculum alignment

Select a developmental domain below to see how North Dakota’s ND Early Learning Standards defines that domain, the key milestones by age group, and exactly how Experience Curriculum activities and skills map to each ND Early Learning Standards indicator.

[Social-Emotional DevelopmentSelf-regulation, peer relationships, identity, empathy, and emotional expressionExplore North Dakota Social-Emotional Development standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/north-dakota/social-emotional/)
[Language & LiteracyReceptive and expressive language, phonological awareness, early reading and writingExplore North Dakota Language & Literacy standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/north-dakota/language-literacy/)
[Mathematics & ReasoningNumber sense, patterns, measurement, spatial reasoning, and early problem-solvingExplore North Dakota Mathematics & Reasoning standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/north-dakota/mathematics/)
[ScienceObservation, inquiry, cause-and-effect, and exploration of the natural worldExplore North Dakota Science standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/north-dakota/science/)
[Social StudiesCommunity, family, cultural identity, roles, and civic understandingExplore North Dakota Social Studies standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/north-dakota/social-studies/)
[Creative ArtsVisual arts, music, movement, dramatic play, and creative expressionExplore North Dakota Creative Arts standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/north-dakota/creative-arts/)
[Physical DevelopmentGross and fine motor skills, body awareness, health, and self-careExplore North Dakota Physical Development standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/north-dakota/physical-development/)
[Approaches to LearningCuriosity, persistence, initiative, flexibility, and attentionExplore North Dakota Approaches to Learning standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/north-dakota/approaches-to-learning/)

Curriculum alignment## How Experience Curriculum aligns to North Dakota’s ND Early Learning Standards

Experience Curriculum is formally aligned to North Dakota’s ND Early Learning Standards across all three age bands — Baby (birth to 18 months), Toddler (18 to 36 months), and Preschool (3 to 5 years) — and all 8 developmental domains. The [North Dakota Early Learning Standards Alignment PDF](https://www.mothergoosetime.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/NorthDakota_Alignment_PreK.pdf)
 documents how every Experience Curriculum activity and skill maps to a specific ND Early Learning Standards indicator.

For North Dakota programs using brightwheel, developmental observations can be logged directly in the app during or after activities, automatically building each child’s portfolio and supporting Bright and Early North Dakota curriculum documentation requirements.

Download the alignment PDF

The [North Dakota Early Learning Standards Alignment PDF](https://www.mothergoosetime.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/NorthDakota_Alignment_PreK.pdf)
 is a free resource documenting how every Experience Curriculum activity maps to North Dakota’s ND Early Learning Standards indicators — suitable for QRIS review submissions and licensing documentation.

Frequently asked questions## Common questions about North Dakota’s early learning standards

What is North Dakota’s official early learning framework?

North Dakota uses the North Dakota Early Learning Standards Birth to Kindergarten (2018), jointly administered by the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) and North Dakota HHS, as its official early learning framework. The 2018 standards cover all 8 developmental domains from birth through kindergarten entry. Note: The ND Early Learning Standards are currently under revision — check nd.gov/dpi for updates.

Is Experience Curriculum aligned to North Dakota’s Early Learning Standards?

Yes. Experience Curriculum is formally aligned to North Dakota’s Early Learning Standards across all age bands (Baby, Toddler, and Preschool) and all 8 developmental domains. The North Dakota Alignment PDF maps every Experience Curriculum activity to the specific North Dakota standard it supports, providing documentation for Bright and Early reviews and licensing visits.

Does North Dakota have a Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)?

Yes. North Dakota’s QRIS is called Bright and Early North Dakota, supporting licensed childcare programs in continuous quality improvement aligned to North Dakota’s Early Learning Standards.

Which North Dakota programs are required to follow the Early Learning Standards?

Licensed childcare programs, Head Start programs, and state-funded preschool programs in North Dakota are expected to use a curriculum aligned to the Early Learning Standards. Note: standards are under revision — programs should monitor nd.gov/dpi for updates.

## See Experience Curriculum in your North Dakota program

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