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

Subdomain: Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning

Goal: Children recall information and use it for new situations and problems

Skill Progression: Recalls and uses information for problem solving

Age: 48-54 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 48-54 Months.

Have a puzzle with a familiar picture on it and/or a toy with a missing part (skirt on doll, wheel on car).

Present a puzzle with a recognizable missing piece and/or a broken or incomplete toy. Ask what is missing.

The child identifies the missing part of the picture on the puzzle or the missing part of the toy.

Identifying what is missing is an indication that the child understands how parts combine to make a whole. Naming parts also builds the child’s vocabulary. Both teachers and caregivers can use everyday opportunities to help children practice these skills. For example, when putting away toys, a spare piece is often found. Ask, “What is this and what does this go with?”