Cognitive Development Domain
The Cognitive Development domain focuses on children’s ability to acquire, organize, and use information in increasingly complex ways. In their search for understanding and meaning, young children play an active role in their own cognitive development. Children will apply prior knowledge to new experiences and use this information to refine their understanding of concepts and form new ones. Early experiences that will help children develop confidence in their ability to solve problems and a positive attitude towards mathematics, science, social studies and the arts.
Online Activities for Cognitive Development
Book Suggestions for Cognitive Development
Relationships
For young children, cognitive development is supported and encouraged through their relationships with others. This happens through daily activities, routines, and interactions with adults and other children. They typically learn a great deal about themselves and form ideas about family roles and community helpers based on their daily experiences in their own home and community.
Schooling
Thinking becomes increasingly complex as children grow older. During the preschool years, children become more effective thinkers and begin to start following the scientific method. For example, they:
- Question
- Predict
- Experiment
- Record
- Reflect
- Conclude
Children’s creativity blossoms when they are given opportunities to work with creative open-ended materials. Through the process of exploring their world and a variety of materials, children develop an appreciation for different forms of art, the natural world, people and cultures.
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning
Developmental Indicator Continuum
Infants (Birth - 12 months) |
Younger Toddlers (8 - 21 months) |
Older Toddlers (18 - 36 months) |
Younger Preschoolers (36 - 48 months) |
Older Preschoolers (45 - 60+ months) |
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Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning
Developmental Indicator Continuum
Infants (Birth - 12 months) |
Younger Toddlers (8 - 21 months) |
Older Toddlers (18 - 36 months) |
Younger Preschoolers (36 - 48 months) |
Older Preschoolers (45 - 60+ months) |
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Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning
Developmental Indicator Continuum
Infants (Birth - 12 months) |
Younger Toddlers (8 - 21 months) |
Older Toddlers (18 - 36 months) |
Younger Preschoolers (36 - 48 months) |
Older Preschoolers (45 - 60+ months) |
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Mathematical Thinking and Expression
Developmental Indicator Continuum
Infants (Birth - 12 months) |
Younger Toddlers (8 - 21 months) |
Older Toddlers (18 - 36 months) |
Younger Preschoolers (36 - 48 months) |
Older Preschoolers (45 - 60+ months) |
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Mathematical Thinking and Expression
Developmental Indicator Continuum
Infants (Birth - 12 months) |
Younger Toddlers (8 - 21 months) |
Older Toddlers (18 - 36 months) |
Younger Preschoolers (36 - 48 months) |
Older Preschoolers (45 - 60+ months) |
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Mathematical Thinking and Expression
Developmental Indicator Continuum
Infants (Birth - 12 months) |
Younger Toddlers (8 - 21 months) |
Older Toddlers (18 - 36 months) |
Younger Preschoolers (36 - 48 months) |
Older Preschoolers (45 - 60+ months) |
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Mathematical Thinking and Expression
Developmental Indicator Continuum
Infants (Birth - 12 months) |
Younger Toddlers (8 - 21 months) |
Older Toddlers (18 - 36 months) |
Younger Preschoolers (36 - 48 months) |
Older Preschoolers (45 - 60+ months) |
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Scientific Exploration and Knowledge
Developmental Indicator Continuum
Infants (Birth - 12 months) |
Younger Toddlers (8 - 21 months) |
Older Toddlers (18 - 36 months) |
Younger Preschoolers (36 - 48 months) |
Older Preschoolers (45 - 60+ months) |
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Scientific Exploration and Knowledge
Developmental Indicator Continuum
Infants (Birth - 12 months) |
Younger Toddlers (8 - 21 months) |
Older Toddlers (18 - 36 months) |
Younger Preschoolers (36 - 48 months) |
Older Preschoolers (45 - 60+ months) |
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Social Studies, Family, and Community Connections
Developmental Indicator Continuum
Infants (Birth - 12 months) |
Younger Toddlers (8 - 21 months) |
Older Toddlers (18 - 36 months) |
Younger Preschoolers (36 - 48 months) |
Older Preschoolers (45 - 60+ months) |
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Social Studies, Family, and Community Connections
Developmental Indicator Continuum
Infants (Birth - 12 months) |
Younger Toddlers (8 - 21 months) |
Older Toddlers (18 - 36 months) |
Younger Preschoolers (36 - 48 months) |
Older Preschoolers (45 - 60+ months) |
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Creative Arts and Expression
Developmental Indicator Continuum
Infants (Birth - 12 months) |
Younger Toddlers (8 - 21 months) |
Older Toddlers (18 - 36 months) |
Younger Preschoolers (36 - 48 months) |
Older Preschoolers (45 - 60+ months) |
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Creative Arts and Expression
Developmental Indicator Continuum
Infants (Birth - 12 months) |
Younger Toddlers (8 - 21 months) |
Older Toddlers (18 - 36 months) |
Younger Preschoolers (36 - 48 months) |
Older Preschoolers (45 - 60+ months) |
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