How cognitive development in children is measured

How Cognitive Development in Children is measured?

Physical development in children is clearly visible but knowing the cognitive development is not as easy, even though both occur at the more or less same speed. Since the time of birth, children continue to advance their skills at different levels. They go by certain steps which includes processing, storing and usage of information at various stages. This is what we mean by cognitive development which refers to the development of ability to think and reason among children.

This process of thinking occurs in concrete ways which includes inclusion and subtraction of activities at different time periods.

Certain theories have been put forwarded by famous personalities in relation to the cognitive development in children.

Basically, the development of thought process of person determines the cognitive development. A o g a y, Piaget’s stages of cognitive development are an easy way to understand as well as easure hildre ’s e tal a d so ial development of children. Four key stages have been defined by renowned psychologist Jean Piaget which starts from birth to 2 years of age, 2 to 7, 7 to 11 and then till adulthood. Let’s o e trate o those stages which revolve around the cognitive development of child at different ages.

The first o e is k ow as Se sori otor stage whi h is e tered upo a ies’ efforts to u dersta d the world with the help of sensory perceptions and motor activities. When babies enter into the world, they basically know about two things which are sucking and looking at the world around. They try to understand the world by gazing at them and try to react accordingly. After few days, they start recognizing their toys and try to reach out to them in order to put things in the mouth. This can be related with sucking which learn in womb. After some time, children began to respond to sounds around them.

The Preoperational stage is marked by language learning. Two or more languages can be introduced to them and they will understand it with little help. It is obvious that children at this stage do not understand logic and cannot manipulate information but they are highly attracted towards signs, symbols, games and activities. They also understand conversation and start talking, if not fluently. This is a major part of cognitive development in children.

Children between the age of 7 and 11 fall in the category of concrete operational stage and they began gaining better understanding of the world. Logical thinking develops and with little assistance they start understanding concepts and ideas. They u dersta d that the dog’s a e is Ji y a d the reed is La rador a d that dog is a a i al.

At the last stage, which usually starts at 12 and continue till adulthood, children develop the abstract thinking, logical thinking, deductive reasoning and systematic planning. Definitely they remember previous incidents but they try to reach on different outcomes even when they come across similar instances. They plan things and try to implement them on their level. They also try to solve problems by quickly implementing things coming to their mind. No matter, the attempt goes successful or not, it surely increases the efficiency of kid.

Going by the theories, these are few to name. If the child goes by these stages, then the cognitive development is up to mark.