Cognitive development begins at birth when infants start to make sense of the world. Everything is new to them. They’re smelling aromas, tasting foods, hearing sounds, and feeling textures for the first time. With each new experience, the brain makes neural connections. High-quality learning environments provide a variety of ongoing experiences that strengthen these connections in infants. As they are reinforced, the brain is strengthened, and cognitive skills increase. You can offer children from birth to age three experiences that help them develop their cognitive skills. By the time they reach their third birthdays, their ability to think, reason, and solve problems will have grown remarkably, thanks to the exposure to new things you’ve given them.
This article provides information about key aspects of cognitive development for infants and toddlers and recommendations for caregivers on how to support cognitive development.