Cause Effect

Development Areas: Cause-Effect Understanding

The concept of cause and effect seems obvious and natural to adults, but for children, especially the little ones, the idea may be a little harder to understand. However, it is important to teach them the principle of cause and effect at an early age, since it will be decisive for their studies, even more, for a lifetime. Parents play an important role in helping children understand the concept.

Interact with your child. Even younger babies can begin to understand the principle of cause and effect. For example, when they cry, someone arrives to feed them, change them or comfort them. Make the most of that natural way of learning, responding to your baby and interacting with him in various ways. Make faces to make him laugh and charge him if he extends his arms.
Offer toys. Babies and children 1 to 2 years old learn by playing, so offer them different toys suitable for their age. Your baby can learn that shaking a rattle will produce a sound and your 1 to 2 year old child can learn that pressing a button can turn on a toy or produce a sound.
Reinforce the principle of cause and effect through conversation. As your child grows and understanding more and more, you can reinforce his understanding verbally. For example, you can say “you didn’t eat your food, that’s why you’re already hungry” or “you weren’t careful with that balloon, that’s why it broke.”
Make a demonstration. Children from 1 to 2 years better understand the principle of cause and effect with a practical demonstration. Drive a balloon with a pin and watch what happens.