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: 18-21 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 18-21 Months.

Watch interactions between the child and adult, peer, or sibling after a fun event or outing.

Listen to the discussion about what took place in the outing. If needed ask the child to tell you about a specific part that was fun or memorable. Sometimes, just getting the child started on one aspect will trigger other memories.

The child will discuss the events that were fun in short simple phrases or sentences. He may also demonstrate actions that took place.

Encourage parents to talk to their child about what they just did, even if it is just remembering what they bought at the store or what they ate at a restaurant. Providing dramatic play opportunities after an event also encourages the child to reenact these events, thus reinforcing his memory. Remind parents that play is learning and dramatic play encourages building on the child’s experiences.