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

Subdomain: Mathematical Thinking and Expression

Goal: Children identify and use common shapes and concepts about position during play and other activities.

Skill Progression: Recognizes geometric shapes

Age: 12-15 Months

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Take the rings off of the post, leaving one or two for the child to see.

No elicitation needed if the child spontaneously plays with both toys. If not the adult can place the toy in front of the child and hand her the circle puzzle piece or a ring for the stacking toy. The adult can also demonstrate by placing a puzzle piece (not the circle) or a ring.

The child will understand that a piece can go in a puzzle or a ring on a post, although perhaps not accurately. The circle requires no manipulation, so is the easiest.

Help early childhood educators and parents understand that the simple puzzles and stacking toys have the purpose of teaching children spatial relations, fine motor skills, and shapes. They can help the child by talking about the characteristics (shapes, sizes, position, etc.) and by taking turns in play with the toys. This provides a model for what to do with the pieces.