Your Clever Toddler in Week 73: Understanding the Intentions of Others

Here's what this study helps us understand: Beginning in toddlerhood, children interpret human acts not as accidental, arbitrary movements in space but as acts with deeper, intended meanings. When they see an action, they read beyond what was actually done and infer the goal behind it.

So when you spill milk, drop books, or misplace your keys, your toddler won't focus on your faux pas—she will understand what you meant to do rather than how you flubbed. It's around this age that children realize other people do not just behave but have underlying mental states, including thoughts, emotions, desires, and intentions. It's an amazingly complex concept for such a young mind!

Coming soon, look forward to: Week 74: Learning Words by Process of Elimination
Review the most recent accomplishments: Week 72: Interest in Interactive Robots

Curious about how else your toddler might be developing right now? Learn more about her clever brain and her growing body here:

• What's happening in Month 17?
• Here's what our pediatrician says you might be worried about this month.