Cognitive Development of a Toddler

Intelligence The capacity to learn. The ability to interpret and understand everyday situations. Use prior experiences when faced with new situations or problems. It is crucial for a child to have an environment that stimulates learning and senses.

Concept Development Concepts are general categories of objects and information. Toddlers might over think labels and categories. Examples: Every round object is a ball so an apple is a ball. Every Santa Claus they see is the “real” Santa Claus even though one is tall and another is short.

Methods of Learning Information Incidental Learning Unplanned Trial and Error Learning Trying several solutions to find one that works

Methods of Learning Information Imitation Learning Watching and copying others Directed Learning Formal instruction in

Piaget’s Stages of Development Piaget created several stages of development. Two of which are called Sensorimotor and Preoperational stages. Toddlers are in the end of the Sensorimotor stage and advancing into the Preoperational stage.

Preoperational Stage Ages 2-7 years old Think in terms of their own activities and what they perceive at the moment. Learn through imaginative play. Continue to view the world in an egocentric manner. Beginning to identify symbols and that those symbols have meaning.

Concrete and Abstract Understands terms that are concrete Ball, truck, dog Struggles with abstract terms Respect, love, honesty

Language Development Encourage language development by modeling correct speech. Reading to a toddler is important for language and cognitive development. Nouns are often the first words used.