The ability of learning, thinking, and problem-solving which is the framework for schooling success in adolescence and adulthood.Cognitive skills develop over time.  The child demonstrates the ability of learning, thinking, and problem-solving.  As your child develops cognition, he/she will increase their intellectual capacity too.  A child with a strong cognitive skill is the framework for schooling success in adolescence and adulthood.The chart below identifies several skills your child should demonstrate by age 12 months, 24 months, 36 months, 4 years old, and 5 years old for Cognitive Growth:

Age	Cognitive Skills
12 months (1 year)	Explores their environment (shakes, bangs, throws items)
	Copies and imitates gestures
	Uses items as it’s intended function (comb for hair brushing)
	Points with index (pointer) finger
	Understand object permanence (finds items that are hidden)
	Looks at the right object/thing (stimulus) when things are named/labeled

 

Age	Cognitive Skills
24 months (2 years)	Sorts shapes and colors
	Completes sentences and familiar songs/rhymes (intraverbals)
	Uses 4 or more blocks to build a tower
	Begins to demonstrate right-hand or left-hand dominance
	Follows simple 2-step instruction (“pick up your train and put it in the toy box”)
	Names common animals and objects in a picture book (dog, bird)

 

Age	Cognitive Skills
36 months (3 years)	Turns pages in a book, push buttons, pull levers etc.
	Builds towers with 6 or more blocks
	Completes 3 or 4 piece puzzle
	Can count to 2 and discriminate between 1 object vs 2 objects
	Plays make-believe with dolls, people and animals
	Copies (traces) a circle while using a crayon or writing utensil

 

Age	Cognitive Skills
4 Years	Plays games that require taking turns (board and card games)
	Recalls parts of a story
	Can count and understands numbers have values
	Identifies (labels) colors and numbers
	Discriminates between same vs different
	Can tell you what they think will happen next in a book or movie

  

Age	Cognitive Skills
5 Years	Writes letters, numbers, name
	Draws or copies shapes (triangle, square)
	Draws a person with 6 body parts or more (head, eyes, nose, mouth, arms, legs etc.)
	Counts 10 or more objects