Early Learners
Nine-months-old Tyler has discovered the power of the remote control. He seems to understand that there is a connection between pressing the remote control’s buttons and operating the TV. Sarah, now six months old, loves being in the bathtub. Lying on her back, supported by her mother, she studies the effect of her movements on the water. She particularly loves to kick her legs and is fascinated when she sees the water churning and splashing in all directions. Sarah and Tyler are beginning to understand the connection between cause and effect. They see that there is a connection between their actions and the world around them, and are beginning to realize that they can make interesting things happen. This connection is deeply established around the age of eighteen months, but babies have many earlier opportunities to examine it. Think, for example, of the following causal sequence: your hungry baby is crying bitterly. Suddenly, a breast or bottle arrives and provides him with the thing he most wants – milk. After many such moments – when he gives an involuntary signal and you respond – your baby will start to pay attention to the sequence of events. He will learn how to get you to do what he wants.