Cognitive development is the process of changing thinking, learning, and perception as children grow. Researchers study the connections between genetics, brain development, and environmental factors. Educators use Piaget’s theory to enhance learning experiences. Play is vital for social and cognitive development. Cognitive impairment is linked to learning disabilities, ADHD, and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Cognitive development is the process of changing thinking, learning, and perception as a child develops from infancy to adulthood. As cognition develops, children build on previous experiences, using them to help them make sense of the world around them. Researchers in neuroscience and psychology are continually seeking a better understanding of the connections between genetics, brain development, and environmental factors and how these interact during cognitive development. One of the pioneers in the study of childhood cognitive processes was Jean Piaget. Although some of his work has fallen out of favor, much of what he discovered is still widely accepted.
Educators have long used Piaget’s theory of cognition to enhance childhood learning experiences. Awareness of stages of cognitive development helps teachers create lessons that are appropriate for specific age groups and improves students’ chances of understanding. Language and mathematical cognition change as children develop. Knowing how children reason and think about mathematical concepts and language as they grow up has been a key factor in developing the school curriculum. As research advances, new discoveries in cognitive development are being incorporated into teacher education classrooms.
For young children, discovery during play is vital in the development of both social and cognitive processes. While playing, children develop basic mathematical thinking, planning and problem solving skills. They form a sense of themselves in the world as they manipulate toys and objects during play. In addition to playing with toys, researchers are investigating the connections between pretend play and the development of higher-level cognitive skills such as abstract thinking. Through pretend play, children think in transformative, symbolic and emotional ways, which can activate multiple areas of the brain.
Psychologists and neuroscientists continue to try to answer questions about how cognition and the brain develop from birth to adulthood. The way children think and learn at different ages is constantly changing. When they encounter new concepts or objects, cognition alters to adjust these new things to their perception of the world. Classification systems, reasoning skills, and problem solving strategies change during cognitive development. How this happens is at the heart of cognitive development research.
The relationship between cognitive impairment and problems with brain development is a growing area of study. Learning disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Autism Spectrum Disorder are just a few of the conditions linked to cognitive development problems. Cognitive disorders are characterized by long-term difficulties with learning and memory. Problems with reasoning skills and problem solving skills affect not only academic but also social and behavioral areas. The exact causes of cognitive impairments are not fully understood.
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