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: Making decisions

Age: 30-33 Months

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Observe the child’s play preferences during the day. Read a book about a character trying to learn how to do things. Discuss what the character can do well and what the character can’t do.

No elicitation needed for observation of play preferences. After reading the book, talk about what the child likes to do and is good at.

Note what the child chooses to do and compare that to what the child verbally describes as things they do well.

Explain to parents that children typically select types of play that they enjoy the most. And, what the child enjoys most is typically something about which they feel competent. So observing preferences provides a clue into the reasons for the child’s choices. Early childhood educators and parents can build on the child’s preferences and also encourage him to expand his play activities to try new things.