Early Atlas

Skill

Explores Cause and Effect

Infant or toddler acts on objects to make something happen and repeats the action.

Ages 8–20 months

cause-and-effect exploration senses infant toddler

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Why it matters

Discovering that "I did that" is the root of scientific thinking. When a baby drops, pushes, or pops a toy and watches the result, they learn their actions have predictable consequences, building the early reasoning that later becomes prediction and testing.

Builds toward this milestone

  • uses understanding of causal relationships to act on social and physical environments. — Head Start ELOF

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What mastery looks like

  • Repeats an action on purpose to produce the same result, such as dropping a toy again and again.
  • Shows anticipation, such as looking toward where a ball will roll before it moves.

How to observe it

  • During play, does the child intentionally repeat an action to make an effect happen again?
  • Does the child show surprise or delight at a result, then try to recreate it?

Accessibility

  • Offer cause-and-effect toys with sound, light, or texture so the effect is reachable through more than one sense.

Safety

  • Use objects too large to be swallowed and supervise to prevent mouthing of small parts.

Activities

Evidence

Early Atlas