Cause and effect becomes fascinating
Dropping, banging and repeating tests how the world responds
By The Millie's Team · Parenting Notes
Around week thirty-six, your baby is becoming a little scientist. Dropping things, banging objects and repeating actions are all ways of testing what happens next.
What is happening
Your baby is learning that their actions cause reactions. A spoon that falls always falls, a toy that squeaks always squeaks. These small experiments help them build a clearer picture of how the world works.
Is this normal
Yes. Repetitive testing of cause and effect is a healthy sign of cognitive development. It can sometimes feel tiring, especially when picking things up off the floor for the tenth time, but it is real learning.
What you may notice
- Dropping items from the highchair
- Banging cups, spoons and toys on surfaces
- Pressing buttons or shaking rattles repeatedly
- Watching closely to see what happens
What helps right now
- Picking up dropped toys with patience
- Offering safe items they can drop and bang
- Naming what is happening as they play
- Setting up simple cause-and-effect toys
What to expect next
Over the next few weeks, this testing usually becomes more inventive. Your baby may start trying different ways to make the same thing happen, which is a step toward problem-solving.