Child's cognitive development

Definition

The term refers to the mental processes and abilities that a child goes through as they grow and mature, including thinking, problem-solving, language acquisition, and memory.

Related terms

Piaget's Stages of Cognitive Development: Jean Piaget's theory that describes four distinct stages of cognitive development that children go through as they interact with their environment.

Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory: Lev Vygotsky's theory that emphasizes the role of social interaction and cultural tools in shaping a child's cognitive development.

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD): The range between what a child can accomplish independently and what they can achieve with guidance or assistance from others.