The cognitive development of a child refers to his ability to think, explore, and figure out things. Here are some key indicators to track the cognitive development of a little one.
Credit: On Track
Cognitive development means the growth of a person’s ability to think, understand and articulate their understandings. This is a gradual process and it starts right from the birth of a child. As a parent, you need to find the typical cognitive developmental milestones of your young ones from birth to school age. This can demonstrate their actions and you can set your expectations on them.
Infants and toddlers start learning from cuddling with parents, listening to different languages, hearing sounds, moving their bodies, and exploring different objects. Their brain goes through amazing changes at different ages.
Here is some basic cognitive development concerning the age of a child.
Cognitive development from birth to 18 months
- 1-3 months
During this period, he shows interest in different objects and human faces. Also, they may get bored with the same activities.
- 4-6 months
Now, he can recognise familiar faces, notice the music, and respond to different signs of love and affection.
- 5-9 months
He can bring his hands to the mouth and pass things from one hand to another.
- 9-12 months
Your baby watches things falling, and searches for hidden items.
- 12-18 months
Finally, he has learnt how to use basic items like spoons, balls, etc. Also, he can point to different body parts.
Cognitive development from 18 months to 2 years
- 18 months
At this age, he may identify familiar things in picture books. He also knows what basic objects do. He can scribble, and follow single step requests.
- 24 months
At 24 months, he can build towers from blocks. Also may follow your simple two-part instructions and understand groups like colours and shapes. He can now play different pretending games with you.
Cognitive development between 3 to 5 years
- 3 years
Your child can put up to 3-4 parts of a puzzle together.
He can play with different toys having moving parts, like toy cars.
Also, he can turn doorknobs and turn book pages.
- 4 years
By this age, he can count and draw stick figures.
Also, he can imagine what will happen in the next part of a story and finds interest in simple board games. This is the best time to enroll him into different online hobby classes that he finds interest in. You can try Yellow Class for this purpose.
He can name a few numbers, colours, and capital letters.
- 5 years
At 5 years, a child can draw complex “people”, and count things up to 10.
He can copy numbers, letters, and simple shapes. Get them involved in various kids activities at home.
Now, he can answer his name and address, different colours, and understand the order of simple processes.
Cognitive development of school-age children
- 6-8 years
Children within 6 to 8 years can complete instructions having three or more steps, can count backwards, knows his left and right side, and can tell time.
- 9-11 years
He can use basic devices like phones, tablets, and play stations at this age. Also, we can write stories and letters. Now he can maintain attention for a longer span.
- 12-14 years
Within 12-14 years, a child develops his views and opinions, but that may differ from parents’ ideas. He is aware of the fact that parents aren’t always correct. Also, he can understand figurative language. His logical thinking ability is improving but the prefrontal cortex is not matured yet.
- 15-17 years
A child within 15-17 years can internalize what and study habits. They can explain their positions and choices, which may continue to be different from their parents.