Encouraging Your Childs

Cognitive Development
There are many ways in which
you can help develop your childs
cognitive abilities. One of the
most important is to let your child
explore; encourage them to use
their various senses. You can
express interest in what they are
doing by asking simple questions.
One way to promote memory
retention is to keep a consistent
schedule for the child. Another is
to discuss what happened earlier
in the day. When the child is
having trouble with something,
ask things such as What can we
do about it? to encourage
problem solving skills. Offer
materials that are difficult, but not
impossible, for the child to do.
Young children learn by playing
and exploring!

Sources and more information:

http://www.healthofchildren.com/C/
Cognitive-Development.html

www.education.com

www.babycenter.com


Cognitive development is critical
during infancy and early
childhood. Developmental
milestones should act as a
reference, but keep in mind that
all children develop individually.
The age in which milestones are
met may vary depending on the
individual child, as well as the
familys culture and values. If
you have concerns or questions
regarding your childs cognitive
development you can speak to
your childs pediatrician or
teacher about them. Always
remember, you know your child
and what they are capable of
best!


Early
Childhood
Cognition:
How the Mind
Works in the Early
Years
By Carlena Lowell


Cognition: A Life Long
Process!
Cognitive development begins
prenatally and continues
through adulthood. According
to www.healthofchildren.com,
Cognitive development is the
construction of thought
processes, including
remembering, problem solving,
and decision-making. Brain
development is critical in
infancy and early childhood and
is aided by exploration and the
use a childs sense. The brain
of a three-year-old twice as
active as an adults, and has
billions of cells.









Milestones of Cognitive
Development

Birth-6 months
Infants start integrating senses immediately: able
to see 13 inches, can distinguish hues and
brightness, as well as pitch and volume, can taste
differences in sweet, sour, bitter and salty; able to
watch and smile at a person when spoken to, able
to follow moving objects with eyes

6-12 months
Begins to act shy around strangers, responds to
and imitates faces, begins imitating gestures and
actions, plays peek-a-boo, beginning to
understand objects continue to exist even when
they cannot be seen

12-24 months
Imitates actions, understands and follow simple
directions, looks at picture books with adult, able to
point to familiar objects upon request, able to
distinguish between you and me, beginning to
match objects simply, may experience separation
anxiety from primary caregivers



Milestones of Cognitive
Development
(continued)
24-36 months
Recognizes self in a mirror and may say
own name, able to briefly narrate what they
are doing, imitates adults actions, has a
limited attention span, beginning to
understand functional concepts of familiar
items (i.e. vacuums, cars, etc.), beginning
to be able to sort by shape or color,
completes a puzzle with three to four
pieces, beginning to pretend play

36-48 months
Able to follow three step directions,
understands counting and may name some
numbers, beginning to be aware of time
concepts such as past and present, can
draw a picture (may not be recognizable to
adults) and explain it, knows own name
and age, beginning to ask simple why and
how questions

48-60 months
Can play with words (rhyming and silly
words), can name at least four colors, can
draw a person with two-six recognizable
parts, able to draw and explain more
recognizable pictures, attention span is
increasing but still easily distractible,
understanding of time concepts as well as
time vocabulary (yesterday, tomorrow, etc.)
continue to expand, able to count ten or
more objects