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: Spatial understanding

Age: 2-4 Months

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When the infant is sitting in a carrier or on the adult’s lap, the adult holds the object in front of the child.

When the infant is staring at the object, the adult drops it to the floor, so it leaves the child’s line of vision.

The infant will stare at the place the object disappeared. This indicates the infant’s awareness of where in space the object should be.

Encourage early childhood educators and parents to move objects slowly, as infants do not have refined vision and head control at this age. Allowing children to watch as objects move, encourages interest in the environment and builds the infant’s awareness of moving versus non-moving objects.