What is cognitive development?
The development of thinking across the lifespan. It’s a crucial aspect of overall growth and involves changes in thinking, problem-solving, and understanding the world around them
What influences cognitive development?
Genetic and environmental factors, occurring through a combination of assimilation and accommodation - children integrating new information to existing mental frameworks, adjusting their understanding
How large does the brain develop at birth until 12 months?
At birth, it’s a quarter the size of an adult’s brain. By the end of the first year, this doubles in size
What controls most of a baby’s behaviour at birth?
The brain stem
What does the brain stem control in babies?
Breathing, sleeping, swallowing
What is object permanence?
The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are not seen, heard, or touched
Which of the baby’s senses are least developed at birth?
Eyesight, they can only see about 20cm to 30cm away
When do babies see almost as well as an adult?
9 months
How do you help an infant’s brain develop?
Respond with sounds and gestures in a back-and-forth process called ‘serve and return’. It helps wiring the baby’s brain with positive connections
What are the cognitive development skills required for newborns to 3 months?
Sensory exploration
What are the cognitive development skills required for children aged 3 months to 6 months?
Early cause-and-effect unsderstanding
What are the cognitive development skills required for children aged 6 months to 9 months?
What are the cognitive development skills required for children aged 9 months to 12 months?
What are the cognitive development skills required for children aged 1 year to 2 years?
What are the cognitive development skills required for children aged 2 years to 3 years?
What are the cognitive development skills required for children aged 3 years to 4 years?
What are the cognitive development skills required for children aged 4 years to 5 years?
What are the cognitive development skills required for children aged 5 years to 6 years?
What are the important milestones required for newborns to 3 months?
What are the important milestones required for children aged 3 months to 6 months?
What are the important milestones required for children aged 6 months to 9 months?
What are the important milestones required for children aged 9 months to 12 months?
What are the important milestones required for children aged 1 year to 2 years?
What are the important milestones required for children aged 2 years to 3 years?