Toddlers Engage in Problem Solving

• In Event: Scaffolding Play and Creativity: Infants to Preschoolers

Abstract

Data on the 1.3 million infants and toddlers who are placed in center-based childcare daily indicate that only 8% are in settings of high quality. The remaining 91% in poor to medium quality do not have access to age-appropriate materials or rich learning opportunities. To address these needs, this study describes what toddlers did when they were given interesting age-appropriate materials and allowed to play freely. Findings indicate that toddlers identified problems to solve and were tenacious in solving those problems, challenging the widely held belief that toddlers have short attention spans and are not capable of complex play. Implications of the study include suggestions for teachers to facilitate problem solving and improve the quality of toddler experience.

Authors

• Rosemary Geiken, East Tennessee State University

• Linda M. Fitzgerald, University of Northern Iowa