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: 8-10 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 8-10 Months.

Watch the child interacting with toys and materials during natural play activities with the adult nearby.

While the child is playing, ask the adult to get the child’s attention and to point to something interesting in the room.

Also watch to see if at some time in the infant’s play she lifts an object to show the adult or others in the room.

Children are beginning to understand that others may be interested in something different from themselves. Early childhood educators and parents need to know that this is an important time for children to not only want to share their interests, but also want to know what adults find interesting. Following a point is a clue that the child understands the adult wants them to look at something that is not in front of them.