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

Subdomain: Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning

Goal: Children demonstrate the ability to think about their own thinking: reasoning, taking perspectives, and making decisions

Skill Progression: Taking perspectives

Age: 6-8 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 6-8 Months.

Observe the child in natural interaction with an adult. If the child does not try to make the adult laugh, play some fun dancing music that the child may know.

Play the fun music, dance, clap, and laugh. Then stop and watch the child while the music is still playing.

The child will try to re-institute the fun by moving to the music and smiling or laughing at the adults. This is the child’s attempt to get adults involved in the fun.

Help early childhood educators and parents understand that a big reinforcer for infants is laughter. They are not yet self-conscious about people laughing at them. To them, laughter means “I must have done something great!” Encourage games, clapping, and laughing together.