Cognitive development is the growth of a child's ability to think, learn, remember and solve problems. In babies it shows up as curiosity, exploring objects, understanding cause and effect and, later, imitation and pretend play.
Key takeaways
- Babies learn mainly through play, the senses and relationships.
- Everyday activities like peekaboo and stacking cups build thinking skills.
- Each child develops at their own pace.
What you can do
- Offer safe objects to explore with hands and mouth.
- Play peekaboo and hide-and-seek with toys.
- Talk about what you are doing and let your child try to solve small problems before stepping in.
When to talk to your doctor
Talk to your doctor if your child shows little interest in people or toys, does not respond to familiar games, or loses skills they had before.
