Early cognitive skills are the mental abilities that young children develop as they grow. These skills include thinking, learning, problem-solving, and remembering. Developing strong cognitive skills in early childhood is important because it sets the foundation for later learning and success in school and life. Let’s explore what early cognitive skills are, how they develop, and ways to support young children in building these essential abilities.
What Are Early Cognitive Skills?
Early cognitive skills are the basic mental processes that help children understand and interact with the world around them. These skills include:
- Attention: The ability to focus on a task or activity for a period of time.
- Memory: The ability to remember information and experiences.
- Problem-Solving: The ability to think through and find solutions to challenges.
- Language: The ability to understand and use words to communicate.
- Perception: The ability to recognise and interpret information from the senses (sight, sound, touch, etc.).
- Reasoning: The ability to make sense of things and understand cause and effect.
- Concept Formation: The ability to understand and organise information into categories and concepts.
How Early Cognitive Skills Develop
Early cognitive skills develop through a combination of biological factors and experiences. Here’s a look at how these skills typically develop in young children:
Infancy (0-1 year)
- Attention: Infants start to focus on objects and faces. They follow moving objects with their eyes and pay attention to sounds.
- Memory: Babies begin to recognise familiar faces and voices. They remember simple actions and show preference for familiar toys.
- Problem-Solving: Infants explore objects with their hands and mouth to learn about their properties. They start to understand cause and effect, like shaking a rattle to make noise.
Toddlerhood (1-3 years)
- Attention: Toddlers can focus on activities for longer periods. They enjoy looking at books, playing with toys, and exploring their environment.
- Memory: They remember people, places, and routines. They can follow simple instructions and recall words and actions from favorite songs and stories.
- Problem-Solving: Toddlers use trial and error to solve problems, like figuring out how to fit shapes into a sorter or how to stack blocks.
- Language: They start to use words to communicate their needs and wants. Vocabulary grows rapidly, and they begin to form simple sentences.
Preschool Age (3-5 years)
- Attention: Preschoolers can focus on tasks for longer periods, especially those that interest them. They can follow multi-step instructions.
- Memory: They remember stories, songs, and routines. They can recall and describe past events.
- Problem-Solving: Preschoolers engage in more complex problem-solving, like puzzles, matching games, and imaginative play.
- Language: Vocabulary continues to expand, and they use more complex sentences. They understand and use basic grammar rules.
- Perception and Reasoning: They start to understand more abstract concepts, like time (yesterday, today, tomorrow) and quantity (more, less).
Supporting Early Cognitive Skills Development
Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in supporting the development of early cognitive skills. Here are some simple and effective ways to help young children build these skills:
1. Engage in Play
Play is one of the most important ways children learn. Provide a variety of toys and activities that encourage exploration, imagination, and problem-solving. Building blocks, puzzles, and pretend play are great for developing cognitive skills.
2. Read Together
Reading to children from an early age helps develop their language, attention, and memory skills. Choose books with colorful pictures and simple stories. Encourage your child to ask questions and talk about the story.
3. Encourage Exploration
Let your child explore their environment safely. Take them to parks, playgrounds, and museums. Provide opportunities for sensory play, like playing with sand, water, and playdough.
4. Talk and Listen
Engage in conversations with your child. Ask open-ended questions that encourage them to think and express themselves. Listen to their answers and build on their ideas.
5. Provide Routine and Structure
Consistent routines help children feel secure and understand the world around them. Having regular times for meals, play, and sleep supports their cognitive development.
6. Use Everyday Experiences
Turn everyday activities into learning opportunities. Count steps as you walk, identify colors and shapes around the house, and talk about what you see and do together.
7. Encourage Problem-Solving
Allow your child to solve problems on their own when appropriate. Offer guidance and support, but let them figure things out. This builds confidence and critical thinking skills.
8. Limit Screen Time
While some educational content can be beneficial, it’s important to limit screen time and encourage active, hands-on learning experiences.
Conclusion
Early cognitive skills are essential for a child’s overall development and future success. By providing a supportive and stimulating environment, parents and caregivers can help children develop strong cognitive abilities. Engaging in play, reading, exploring, and talking with children are all simple and effective ways to support their cognitive growth. With patience, encouragement, and a little creativity, you can help your child build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
We’re here to support you
At OneOnOne Children’s Therapy, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to grow and thrive.
Our clinics are not just a space for therapy – it’s a place where children can discover their strengths, overcome challenges, and reach their full potential.
By combining innovative therapy techniques with a stimulating and supportive environment, we’re proud to offer a holistic approach to paediatric therapy and early intervention that addresses the unique needs of each child we support. We use the Early Start Denver Model in combination with our Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy programs. This allows us to offer the highest quality therapy that has been customised for every child!
Reach out for support
If you’re concerned about your child’s cognitive skills or want to learn more about how our ESDM program systematically builds cognitive skills, OneOnOne Children’s Therapy is here to help.
Call our Bondi Junction and Mascot clinics on (02) 80657837 or email. You can book a free 30 minute phone call with us to discuss how we can support your child’s unique journey
