Cause and Effect Play

A child's ability to understand how their activities affect their environment is a crucial component of development.

3 things that progress through the development of cause and effect:

1. Play
2. Learning
3. Social Communication

For example, if your child pushes a button and music plays or they shake a rattle and it makes noise. This type of play teaches the child that their actions can cause something to happen.

Objectives

Through cause and effect play, your child will have the opportunity to learn how to imitate your actions, experience curiosity, take turns, and ask for help.

Activities that help develop cause and effect skills:

• Musical toys (drums, keyboards, push button toys)
• Pop-up toys (jack in the box, pop-up animals)
• Stacking blocks and knocking down