Cognitive Development Milestones in Young Children and How to Nurture Thinking Skills at Home

Cognitive Development Milestones in Young Children and How to Nurture Thinking Skills at Home

When we think about cognitive development in TLC Developmental Play & Parenting classes, the first image that comes to mind is a group of adorable little scientists hard at work (play) as they conduct complex experiments.  A child’s work is play, and as our children “experiment,” they are working on their problem solving skills, figuring out how things are organized, and ultimately working towards abstract thinking. To review general cognitive developmental milestones for young children, click HERE.  Another excellent resource, offering many suggestions about how to nurture your child’s critical thinking skills, is the National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families’ website “Zero to Three.”  Access it HERE;  be sure to click your child’s age range (0-12 months; 12-24 months; or 24-36 months) then click “Thinking Skills” to access a list of creative ideas for developmental play at home.