6/28/2004
desjardins/honig COGNITION
7
Cognitive Development in Children
•Progressive acquisition of higher levels of cognitive skills
•Natural unfolding of ability
•Each stage is a foundation on the next
•Sequentially predictable cognitive abilities
•Given adequate stimulation and an intact neurological system, the child gradually matures to be able to fully conceptualize
•Proceeds from motor activity to social interaction and finally abstract thought