The four areas of practiceThinking, Body, Heart and Voice
Tandomo groups 42 everyday skills into four areas. Below are a few examples from each, with what that skill often looks like at different ages. They are examples, not a checklist: children get there at different times and in different orders.
🧠 Thinking
Planning a few steps ahead, holding rules in mind, spotting patterns, estimating, asking why and testing ideas. The everyday side of thinking, not school marks.
Grounded in: Executive function, critical thinking and curiosity. 15 skills in this area.
Planning steps ahead
- Ages 6–8: gathers what they need before starting a craft
- Ages 9–11: follows a 3-step plan they wrote, without reminders
- Ages 12–14: plans a multi-day project with deadlines and sticks to it
Holding rules in mind
- Ages 6–8: remembers a 3-part instruction (shoes, bag, door)
- Ages 9–11: keeps the rules of a new card game in mind while playing
- Ages 12–14: does 2-step mental math while holding the first result
Spotting patterns
- Ages 6–8: continues a clap-clap-stomp pattern
- Ages 9–11: finds the rule in 3, 6, 12, 24
- Ages 12–14: spots and describes a trend in a table or chart
Estimating and number sense
- Ages 6–8: guesses how many sweets are in a jar within a sensible range
- Ages 9–11: estimates a shopping total before adding it up
- Ages 12–14: estimates a distance or time, then corrects after measuring
🤸 Body
Balance, coordination, throwing and catching, stamina and the small hand skills like cutting and tying laces. Moving with confidence, indoors and out.
Grounded in: Fundamental movement skills and physical literacy. 8 skills in this area.
Balance
- Ages 6–8: stands on one foot for 10 seconds
- Ages 9–11: walks heel-to-toe along a line without stepping off
- Ages 12–14: holds a hard balance pose for 30 seconds
Coordination
- Ages 6–8: skips with alternating feet
- Ages 9–11: jumps rope 20 times in a row
- Ages 12–14: learns a multi-step dance or sports move
Throwing and catching
- Ages 6–8: catches a big ball thrown from 2 metres
- Ages 9–11: hits a target 5 metres away with a throw
- Ages 12–14: passes and catches on the move in a game
Fine motor (hands and fingers)
- Ages 6–8: cuts along a curved line with scissors
- Ages 9–11: ties shoelaces or folds a simple origami
- Ages 12–14: sews on a button or does detailed drawing
💛 Heart
Naming feelings, calming down, taking turns, seeing someone else's side, making up after a fight and handling losing. The social and emotional skills.
Grounded in: The five social-emotional competencies described by CASEL. 7 skills in this area.
Naming feelings
- Ages 6–8: names happy, sad, angry and scared in themselves
- Ages 9–11: describes a mixed feeling ('excited but nervous')
- Ages 12–14: explains what set off a feeling and how strong it was
Calming down and self-control
- Ages 6–8: uses deep breaths to calm down when upset
- Ages 9–11: waits for their turn without complaining
- Ages 12–14: notices anger rising and steps away before reacting
Working together
- Ages 6–8: takes turns and shares in a game
- Ages 9–11: splits a job fairly in a small team
- Ages 12–14: organises who does what in a group project
Handling losing and frustration
- Ages 6–8: tries again after losing a game, without a meltdown
- Ages 9–11: keeps practising something they found hard
- Ages 12–14: treats a failure as information and changes the plan
🗣️ Voice
Explaining clearly, listening, telling a story in order, giving instructions and the everyday independence of cooking a snack or handling a little money.
Grounded in: Oral language and everyday life skills. 12 skills in this area.
Explaining clearly
- Ages 6–8: explains the rules of a simple game
- Ages 9–11: explains step by step how they solved a problem
- Ages 12–14: explains a hard topic so a younger kid gets it
Telling stories in order
- Ages 6–8: tells a story with a beginning, middle and end
- Ages 9–11: tells a story with a problem and how it gets solved
- Ages 12–14: builds suspense or a twist into a story told aloud
Giving and following instructions
- Ages 6–8: follows 3-step instructions to build something
- Ages 9–11: gives clear steps for someone to draw a picture
- Ages 12–14: writes instructions others follow without questions
Cooking basics
- Ages 6–8: washes vegetables and measures ingredients
- Ages 9–11: makes a sandwich or cold snack alone
- Ages 12–14: cooks a simple recipe with an adult nearby