Skill
Reasons and Plans Ahead
Child reasons about a problem and plans a sequence of actions to reach a goal.
Ages 8–36 months
Why it matters
Planning ahead means holding a goal in mind, reasoning about what will work, and ordering actions toward it, such as fetching a stool to reach a shelf. This goal-directed thinking is a cornerstone of executive function and self-direction.
Builds toward this milestone
- uses reasoning and planning ahead to solve problems. — Head Start ELOF
What mastery looks like
- Tries different solutions to an everyday problem until one works.
- Uses reasoning to figure out a solution, including in social situations like taking turns.
- Plans a way to reach a goal based on experience, such as getting a stool to reach something high.
How to observe it
- Does the child gather a tool or object in advance to solve a problem?
- Does the child reason aloud or pause to think before acting?
Accessibility
- Offer visual or spoken reminders of the goal for children who lose track of the plan.
- Provide sturdy, stable supports for children who plan to climb or reach.
Activities
Evidence
- Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs (4th ed.) — National Association for the Education of Young Children · 2022 · National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Early Atlas