Why is ‘Cause and Effect’ Important?
Developing an awareness of ‘Cause and Effect’ is really important for young children’s development. Cause and Effect is when children start to recognise that a movement, action, or something they do, can be rewarding as it makes something else happen!
Cause and Effect play offers babies and young children some control of their world as they learn what they can do for themselves and what they can make others do for them!
Early awareness of ‘Cause and Effect’ begins when babies and young children don’t just cry to get their needs met, but they begin to ‘notice’ that by crying they can get someone’s attention. Likewise, when throwing a toy out the pram is no longer ‘an accident’ but practise of ‘Cause and Effect’.
Everyday activities that move with ease when let go, pulled, pushed, squashed or swiped at are ideal as an introduction to ‘Cause and Effect’ play.
Pop- Up toys like ‘frog in a box’ begin to combine an early awareness of ‘Cause and Effect’ with Object Permanence as children learn to: explore missing things; have fun in the element of surprise of finding things; predict what will happen next time; recognise they have the ability to make things happen over and over again and teach them that toys can be fun.
Toys offer children the chance to explore a broad range of experiences safely while having fun. ‘Cause an effect’ toys often have switches to push; buttons to press; require twist and turn actions; winding up; make a noise; light up; spin; open; shut, jump, move, vibrate etc.
