Nursery World - Just a thought (1)

The actions of the youngest children who have not developed verbal expression show what's on their minds, says Jennie Lindon It is easy for early years practitioners and parents to overlook the thinking power of very young children. The block is often the assumption that thoughts can only be expressed through recognisable words. However, babies, toddlers and two-year-olds will show observant adults that they are busy thinking about their familiar world.

It is easy for early years practitioners and parents to overlook the thinking power of very young children. The block is often the assumption that thoughts can only be expressed through recognisable words. However, babies, toddlers and two-year-olds will show observant adults that they are busy thinking about their familiar world.

The behaviour of under-threes, along with their sounds and later words and short phrases, lets us know what they have worked out about regular routines or daily events. Their deliberate actions, often repeated or with slight variations, show us that young children are active explorers and problem solvers. For example:

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