Cognitive Development of a Toddler Intelligence The capacity

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.