Ordinarily Available Inclusive Provision

Thinking, reasoning and problem solving in the early years

Thinking, reasoning and problem solving

Thinking, reasoning, and problem solving are interlinked cognitive skills, fundamental for navigating the world, making decisions and achieving goals.

In the early years it is important to bear in mind the child’s age and stage of development when identifying need.

  • Identification – what you may see in the child

    • May appear unable to express their own ideas.
    • Difficulty making choices.
    • Little engagement in response to adults modelling.
    • Not linking cause and effect.
    • Repetitive play actions.
    • Little evidence of transferring learning and skills across contexts.
    • Rigid approach to play.

  • Planned provision in the setting

    Based on need, some of this provision will be effective.

    • Comment on, and model thinking skills.
    • Extend thinking skills by modelling and demonstrating practical examples of what if?
    • Provide opportunities for children to frequently revisit activities.
    • Model words and concepts to describe objects. For example, colours; heavy or light; big or small; naming things about an object; pointing to or naming specific items on request.
    • Provide resources to encourage children to make patterns, see similarities and differences.
    • Provide visual support for learning sequences.
    • Support role play demonstrating how to respond in different situations and using past experiences to solve a problem.
    • Model self-regulation techniques and strategies. See the SEMH section of the framework for more information.
    • Encourage children to make choices. Adults model choice making and provision enables this.
    • Offer limited choices to support meaningful decision making alongside visuals, for example milk or water at snack time.