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: 15-18 Months

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During a play session, place toys in a wider area, with some up on a coffee table or shelf, and one of the child’s favorites in another room or center.

Observe the child’s play and watch as the child accesses the toys. The adult can say, “There is another one up on the shelves.” When the child tries to reach it say, “What do you want?”

The child walks or crawls from one toy to another. To get the higher toys the child may indicate they want the adult to pick them up. If the adult continues to hold them, the child will say, “Down,” along with body movement.

As the child becomes more mobile she learns about larger areas of space by physically moving around. Encourage parents to use spatial words with children, such as up, down, on, under, behind, etc. This will help the child learn spatial vocabulary.