Domain: NC Foundations for Early Learning: Cognitive Development (CD)

Subdomain: Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning

Goal: Children use their senses to construct knowledge about the world around them

Skill Progression: Constructs knowledge

Age: 42-48 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 42-48 Months.

Have construction materials, such as different types of blocks, or dumped out picture puzzles that children need to construct.

Elicitation may not be needed. If the child does not spontaneously build a representation, the adult can name the representation the puzzle pieces make or introduce a toy car or action figure that needs a garage or home.

The child will combine pieces in a logical way, using vision, touch, and knowledge of spatial relations (corners, sides, etc.).

Blocks and puzzles are great for encouraging children to combine visual and haptic approaches to problem solving. If needed caregivers can help children make puzzles from cereal box covers. Encourage them to save small (jewelry-sized) and large gift boxes for building. Lids can be taped on to make a block. They can be nested and stored.