Can thinking about actions now help future decision-making?
Your toddler is beginning to understand and learn more about how their actions affect what happens next. The more they play and explore in this way, the better they will become at thinking how to do things.
Cause and effect will always be an exciting phase of learning; as your toddler grows, they constantly learn more about how their actions can cause something else to happen.
So, it might be that they build a tower and knock it over, then discover they can roll a ball into a tower and that will also knock it over.
This could lead to more ball rolling and potentially rolling or throwing other objects into the tower. When toddlers have chances to find out the results of their actions, they are supported to make decisions and plan for what they hope to happen.
We never really stop learning about actions and their effects.
We make decisions every day, like when we eat, the clothes we put on and the words to use in a message to a friend. Although these might seem like far distant decisions, the early learning and understanding gained at this stage will support your toddler later in life.
Practical examples of this are in abundance when thinking of mealtimes. Let's think about what happens when your toddler has a hot meal. They might notice you blow the food to cool it before they eat it. If they take a bite too soon, they realise it needs to be blown more to be ready.
Your toddler might also drop food on the floor while they eat. Most of the time they won’t pay attention to what is happening but if they drop their favourite food on the floor, their reaction will change. With trial and error, they will connect how to stop their food from dropping on the floor.
Your toddler will have probably already picked up this final example! When they use the word “more” at mealtimes, they will get more of what they want, well hopefully anyway!
Most toddlers are quite curious and will already be experimenting with many actions, leading their own investigations!
Every time your toddler sits in a highchair, buggy or car seat, a safety belt keeps them in place safely. Your toddler may fiddle with their belt because they want to know how it works. By attempting to open and close it, they show an understanding of cause and effect; even though safety should always come first.
Lots of investigations happen during daily activities, such as taking a bath. When playing in the water, your toddler may notice that while most of their toys float, there’s one that doesn't. They might try to push down on the floating toy and wonder why it’s sitting on top of the water. Although they won’t understand floating and sinking at this stage, they may find it fun to push down on a toy and see it pop back up again!
There are also many tech devices which actively encourage cause and effect.
Voice activated tech is a great example, as each time the activation word is said, like, ‘Alexa’, she kicks into action and follows the verbal instructions given. This is usually very exciting for young children!
Apps on phones that change the appearance of faces are another popular modern cause and effect game. These types of tech can cause great amusement for toddlers, but make sure to choose apps that won’t upset them. Toddlers don’t yet understand that an app filter isn’t real, and some might be alarming for them.
You don’t have to rely on technology though, everyday play such as jumping in puddles, banging a pan with a spoon and kicking a ball encourage your toddler to think about an action and understand the outcome.