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 |
