Supporting Early Cognitive Skills Development in Children: The Role of ESDM
Early cognitive skills are the mental abilities that children develop as they grow. These skills, such as thinking, learning, problem-solving, and memory, are essential for understanding and interacting with the world. Developing strong cognitive skills during early childhood lays the foundation for future learning and success in school and life. In this blog, we’ll explore what early cognitive skills are, how they develop, and how the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), particularly at OneOnOne Children’s Therapy in Bondi Junction and Mascot, can support young children in building these essential abilities.
What Are Early Cognitive Skills?
Early cognitive skills refer to the basic mental processes that help children understand their environment. These skills include:
- Attention: The ability to focus on a task or activity.
- Memory: The ability to remember information and experiences.
- Problem-Solving: The ability to find solutions to challenges.
- Language: The ability to understand and use words to communicate.
- Perception: The ability to interpret information from the senses.
- Reasoning: The ability to understand cause and effect.
- Concept Formation: The ability to organise information into categories and concepts.
How Early Cognitive Skills Develop
Early cognitive skills develop through both biological factors and life experiences. Here’s a brief overview of how these skills typically evolve in young children:
- Infancy (0-1 year): Infants begin focusing on objects and sounds, recognising faces, and understanding cause and effect (e.g., shaking a rattle makes a sound).
- Toddlerhood (1-3 years): Toddlers start to focus on activities for longer, remember people and routines, and use trial and error to solve problems. Their vocabulary grows rapidly during this time.
- Preschool Age (3-5 years): Preschoolers engage in more complex problem-solving, follow multi-step instructions, and understand abstract concepts such as time and quantity. Their language skills expand with more complex sentences and grammar.
How the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) Supports Cognitive Development
The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) is an evidence-based early intervention approach for young children with autism. It integrates play-based activities and social interaction to support cognitive, social, and communication development. At OneOnOne Children’s Therapy in Sydney, including our Bondi Junction and Mascot clinics, our Certified ESDM Therapists work closely with children and families to support the development of these essential cognitive skills.
Here’s how ESDM supports cognitive growth:
- Structured Play: The ESDM uses play as a learning tool. Structured play sessions are tailored to meet each child’s developmental needs, helping them practice attention, memory, and problem-solving skills in a fun and engaging way.
- Language Development: The ESDM focuses on language development, helping children understand and use words more effectively. Through consistent interaction, children are encouraged to expand their vocabulary and improve communication skills.
- Social Interaction: Building on cognitive skills like attention and reasoning, ESDM also enhances social interaction by encouraging children to engage with others, take turns, and follow group activities.
At our Bondi Junction and Mascot clinics, we combine ESDM with Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy to create a comprehensive and personalised approach to therapy. This allows us to address each child’s cognitive development in a holistic way, ensuring they receive the highest quality support.
Supporting Early Cognitive Skills at Home
Parents and caregivers play a vital role in nurturing cognitive skills in children. Here are simple ways to support your child’s cognitive development:
- Engage in Play
Play is an important way children learn. Provide toys and activities that encourage exploration, imagination, and problem-solving. Building blocks, puzzles, and pretend play are excellent tools for cognitive development. - Read Together
Reading books with your child fosters language, attention, and memory skills. Choose books with vibrant illustrations and simple stories to capture their interest. Ask questions and discuss the story to promote deeper understanding. - Encourage Exploration
Allow your child to explore their environment, whether at home or outdoors. Activities like visiting parks, playgrounds, and museums expose them to new experiences and ideas, enhancing their perception and reasoning. - Talk and Listen
Conversations are crucial for cognitive development. Ask open-ended questions that encourage your child to think and express themselves. Listen to their responses and build on their ideas. - Provide Routine and Structure
Consistent routines give children a sense of security and help them understand the world around them. Regular routines for meals, playtime, and bedtime support cognitive development. - Use Everyday Experiences as Learning Opportunities
Turn daily tasks into learning moments. Count steps while walking, identify shapes and colours around the house, and describe what you see and do together. - Encourage Problem-Solving
Give your child opportunities to solve problems independently. Offer guidance, but let them figure out solutions on their own, building confidence and critical thinking skills. - Limit Screen Time
While some educational content can be beneficial, it’s important to limit screen time and promote hands-on, active learning experiences.
How ESDM at OneOnOne Children’s Therapy Enhances Early Cognitive Skills
At OneOnOne Children’s Therapy in Bondi Junction and Mascot, we specialise in the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) to support cognitive development in children with autism. Our Certified ESDM Therapists use a combination of play-based therapy and structured learning to help children build attention, memory, problem-solving, and language skills. This personalised approach helps children reach their developmental milestones and equips them with the skills they need for future success.
- Individualised Learning: We customise each child’s therapy plan to meet their unique needs. Whether it’s developing attention or improving problem-solving, our team ensures that the child’s learning is both fun and effective.
- Collaboration with Parents: We work closely with families to ensure that cognitive skills development is supported at home as well. Our team provides parents with strategies to continue practising these skills outside the therapy setting.
Conclusion
Early cognitive skills are essential for a child’s development and future success. Supporting these skills through a combination of structured learning and play helps children grow in confidence, problem-solving, language, and social interaction. At OneOnOne Children’s Therapy, our Certified ESDM Therapists in Bondi Junction and Mascot work to ensure that each child’s cognitive development is fully supported.
Reach Out for Support
If you’re concerned about your child’s cognitive development or want to learn more about how our ESDM program in Sydney, Bondi Junction, and Mascot systematically builds cognitive skills, OneOnOne Children’s Therapy is here to help.
Call us on (02) 80657837 or email us to book a free 30-minute phone call to discuss how we can support your child’s unique journey towards cognitive growth and overall success.
Our team of Certified ESDM Therapists, Speech Pathologists, and Occupational Therapists collaborate to offer the highest quality therapy, customised for each child’s unique needs.
