Infant Toddler Development Training
Module 4, Lesson 5

Adaptive Tasks to address Cognitive Development

Sometimes the tasks are too complex and need to be broken into several simple steps. The caregiver needs to work at the infant/toddlers optimal level of challenge and not to the point of frustration. When planning a cognitive task or game, consider the following:

1. Decide on the expected behaviors you are teaching
2. Consider using a verbal, visual, and/or touch cue to prompt the child
3. Analyze the steps in the procedure and order these (task analysis)
4. Provide the first step to the child with some guidance
5. Let them try the next step with as little guidance as possible
6. Continue this until the infant/toddler has mastered the task.

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