Read the listed behaviors and brainstorm what you think the children in these scenarios are are trying to communicate. Record your responses in the provided space.

1. Michael, an infant, has just woken up from a nap in his crib and begins to cry loudly.
   Michael is letting his caregivers know that he is awake and likely wants to be held, changed, or fed.

    
2. Sophie, a 10-month-old, keeps throwing a cup off her highchair tray during a meal.
   Sophie is figuring out that when she throws her cup, someone will give it back to her. She is exploring the relationship between cause and effect. She is discovering how gravity works and how through her own actions, she can influence the actions of others.

    
3. Pia, a newly-enrolled toddler, hangs on her father’s leg and screams during drop off.
   Pia does not want her father to leave. They have a secure attachment, and Pia likely hasn’t had time to form a strong bond with the center’s caregivers yet.

    
4. Miles, a 2-year-old, is served a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast. He makes a disgusted face and dumps the bowl all over the floor.
   Miles does not want to eat oatmeal. He doesn’t have the language and social-emotional skills to politely refuse or request something else.

    
5. You hear a toilet flush then Georgie, a 5-year-old, runs out of the restroom. When asked if she washed her hands Georgie says, “Yep.”
   Georgie knows she is supposed to wash her hands after using the bathroom and she knows she’s been caught, so she lies to avoid admitting she didn’t follow a routine.

    
6. Sam, an 11-year-old, used to always say hello and talk to you. Now when you greet him, he barely looks at you and mumbles “hi.”
   Sam, like most youth this age, is becoming more independent and more focused on friendships with peers. His behavior is related to his developmental changes.