Written by Liau Alex
Understanding cognitive milestones in early childhood is crucial for parents, as it provides insights into their child’s development and helps create a supportive environment. Early cognitive development lays the foundation for future learning and problem-solving abilities. In this guide, we will explore various cognitive milestones from birth to three years, aiding parents in recognising and nurturing their child’s cognitive growth.
Cognitive Milestones: Birth to 6 Months
During the first six months, infants undergo rapid sensory and motor development. Their ability to perceive and interact with the world around them evolves significantly.
Sensory Development
In the initial months, babies are highly responsive to visual and auditory stimuli. They begin to track objects with their eyes and show a preference for faces, indicating early social awareness. Additionally, their hearing sharpens, allowing them to distinguish between different sounds and voices.
Motor Skills
Infants exhibit reflexive movements such as sucking and rooting, which are essential for survival. They gradually develop the ability to grasp objects, starting with involuntary reflexes that later become intentional actions. These early motor skills lay the groundwork for more complex movements in the future.
Cognitive Milestones: 6 to 12 Months
Between six to twelve months, infants display remarkable cognitive advancements, marked by increased exploration and understanding of their environment.
Object Permanence
Around six months, babies begin to grasp the concept of object permanence, realising that objects continue to exist even when out of sight. This newfound understanding contributes to their ability to engage in purposeful play and seek out hidden objects.
Cause and Effect
Infants start to comprehend cause-and-effect relationships, such as realising that pressing a button produces a sound. This cognitive leap fosters curiosity and experimentation, encouraging further exploration of their surroundings.
Language Development
By their first birthday, infants typically utter their first words and comprehend simple instructions. Language development not only facilitates communication but also enhances cognitive abilities by enabling children to categorise objects and concepts through words.
Cognitive Milestones: 1 to 2 Years
Toddlers between one and two years exhibit burgeoning cognitive skills, characterised by increased independence and problem-solving abilities.
Symbolic Play
During this stage, children engage in symbolic play, using objects to represent other items or people. This imaginative play fosters creativity and symbolic thinking, laying the groundwork for abstract thought processes.
Problem-Solving Skills
Toddlers demonstrate rudimentary problem-solving skills, such as stacking blocks or fitting shapes into corresponding holes. Through trial and error, they learn to overcome obstacles, enhancing their cognitive flexibility and perseverance.
Memory Development
By the age of two, children start to retain and recall information more efficiently, evident in their ability to remember past events and follow simple routines. Memory development plays a crucial role in learning and adapting to new situations.
Cognitive Milestones: 2 to 3 Years
Preschoolers between two and three years undergo significant cognitive growth, characterised by heightened imagination and social awareness.
Imagination and Creativity
At this stage, children develop rich imaginary worlds, engaging in pretend play scenarios and storytelling. Their burgeoning imagination fosters creativity and divergent thinking, essential for problem-solving and innovation.
Understanding of Time Concepts
While still abstract, preschoolers begin to grasp basic time concepts such as yesterday, today, and tomorrow. This emerging understanding of time aids in sequencing events and planning activities, laying the groundwork for future temporal comprehension.
Social Cognition
Preschoolers exhibit increased social cognition, demonstrating empathy and understanding the perspectives of others. They engage in cooperative play and start forming friendships, laying the foundation for healthy social relationships.
Recognising and nurturing cognitive milestones in early childhood is essential for parents to support their child’s holistic development. By understanding the progression of cognitive abilities from birth to three years, parents can create enriching environments that stimulate their child’s intellectual growth and prepare them for future academic and social success.
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About The Author
Liau Alex obtained his degree in Psychology from the National University of Singapore and specialises in childhood disorders, specifically learning and behavioural difficulties. He has many years of experience working with children exhibiting a wide array of learning and behaviour challenges, many of whom have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
As an author, Alex has two titles published by Future Horizons Inc. (USA), the world leader in autism and sensory resources. Schools worldwide have used his books for inclusive education and parent training for children with special needs. Titles under his name include School Shadow Guidelines (2015) and A Parent’s Guide to Early Intervention (2021).
Alex received training on early intensive behavioural intervention (EIBI) in Australia and subsequently went to the USA, where he received relationship development intervention (RDI) training under Dr Steven Gutstein and Dr Rachel Sheely. He has presented in Australia, Houston, and Singapore and has also been invited to participate in media interviews. Furthermore, he has worked with clients from across the globe, including China, Taiwan, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
