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 |
