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Supporting Cognitive Development

Cognitive development is the way small children learn thinking, exploring, remembering, and understanding everything that is all around them. It includes developing early skills such as attention, memory, problem-solving, cause and effect, and categorization among infants and toddlers. These abilities begin to develop with play, repeating things, creating routines, and, most importantly, responsive, trusting relationships with care providers and teachers (Berk & Meyers, 2023; Garvis et al., 2019).

Teaching Competencies & Skills to Support Cognitive Development
 

1. Observation and Responsiveness

Educators must carefully observe each child’s interests, actions, and patterns of thinking. By tuning in to what captures a child’s attention, educators can offer timely support and extend their thinking in meaningful ways.

2. Intentional Teaching

Teaching moments often happen in everyday life—during mealtimes, nappy changes, or play. Skilled educators use these opportunities to model language, introduce new ideas, and support problem-solving through questioning, repetition, and gentle guidance.

3. Creating Stimulating Environments

Cognitive growth thrives in environments that are rich in textures, colours, materials, and open-ended resources. Educators design spaces that invite curiosity, exploration, and experimentation, encouraging infants and toddlers to engage all their senses.

4. Scaffolding Thinking and Play

Educators support children to build on what they already know by adding just the right level of challenge—this might be helping a child turn puzzle pieces or talking through a sequence in a routine. This “just right” support builds confidence and cognitive stamina.

5. Modelling Problem-Solving and Reflection

By verbalising their thinking (e.g., “Hmm, this piece doesn’t fit—let’s try turning it”), educators show children how to persist, try new strategies, and reflect on outcomes. This helps children develop resilience and flexible thinking.

6. Encouraging Repetition and Predictability

Young children build understanding through doing things again and again. Educators provide opportunities for repeated experiences (e.g., stacking blocks, singing familiar songs) to strengthen memory, attention, and prediction skills

7. Building Secure Relationships

A strong emotional connection allows children to feel safe enough to explore, experiment, and take risks. Trusting relationships with educators are the foundation of confident learning(Berk & Meyers, 2023; Garvis et al., 2019).

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Art Class

Curriculum Provision to Support Cognitive Development

Language & Literacy

  • Shared Reading of Predictable Books

Reading simple, repetitive books like Where is the Green Sheep? encourages memory, attention, and prediction. The teacher might pause and ask, "Where do you think the green sheep is?" and in this way, the toddlers can be engaged in the structure of the story.

  • Naming and Labelling Objects During Play

In block play or during mealtime, educators name objects and actions to assist with vocabulary building and with categorization: "You have a round banana. Let us find another round thing!"

Learning to read
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Mathematics & Numeracy

  • Sorting and Matching Games Toddler: Sorting things like socks, lids, or colored blocks. This helps to logical thinking, comparison, and pattern recognition.

  • Counting Numbers in Daily Routines: Teacher incorporates counting in the activities around, as, "Let's count the spoons-one, two, three!" or "You have two shoes-one for each foot!" 

Art & Drama

  • Play with Open-Ended Arts Materials. Finger-painting, collaging with textured papers, and crayon drawing bean-like toddlers to share ideas, explore color and shape, and make choices.

  • Real-Life Props for Dramatic Play. Pretend play using dolls, kitchen sets, or doctor kits encourages sequencing, memory, and problem solving. Educators might narrate: "You're giving that baby a bottle-read goes-next." 
     

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Science and Technology 

  • Cause-and-Effect Toys and Sensory Exploration

Infants press buttons, shake rattles, or pour water. Educators describe actions and outcomes, e.g., “You pushed the button and the light turned on!”

  • Natural Materials and Discovery Baskets

Toddlers explore shells, wooden spoons, and sponges, building sensory awareness and early scientific thinking.

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Movement & Music Action
 

  • Songs and Rhymes Songs like Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes support memory, sequencing, and attention. Repeating actions strengthens coordination and recall.

 

  • Obstacle Paths and Movement Challenges Crawling over cushions or stepping through hoops encourages children to plan, problem-solve, and test ideas using their bodies.

Humanities & Social Sciences

  • Exploring Family and Cultural Routines- Educators share books, photos, or songs that reflect different family customs, supporting memory, storytelling, and a sense of identity.

  • Role-Playing Everyday Routines- Toddlers act out familiar scenarios (e.g., cooking, going shopping), helping them understand and sequence daily life events.

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Baby Playing with Building Blocks

Engineering & Technologies

  • Stacking, Building, and Balancing- Using blocks or cups, children explore structure, trial and error, and cause and effect. Educators ask, “What happens if we put the big block on top?”

  • Problem-Solving with Loose Parts-Toddlers manipulate lids, jars, or pieces of fabric to achieve a goal—like covering a doll or opening a container.

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STEM/STEAM Integrated Curriculum

  •  Cooking Experiences

Toddlers help mix ingredients, pour, and observe changes. Educators highlight sequencing and transformation (“First we mix, then we cook!”).

  • Light and Shadow Play

Using torches and objects, children explore how shadows form, comparing sizes and shapes. 

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Learning Opportunity

  1. 0–12 Months: Sensory Treasure Basket 

Description:
Set out a shallow basket filled with safe, natural materials like a soft cloth, a wooden spoon, a loofah, or a pine cone. Place it within easy reach during floor time so the baby can explore freely and at their own pace. There’s no need to rush—this is all about slow, thoughtful discovery(Garvis et al., 2019).

Learning & Wellbeing Focus:

This calming experience helps babies:

  • Build attention and curiosity as they notice different textures and shapes

  • Strengthen problem-solving as they explore how objects feel, move, or make sounds

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2. (12–24) Months: Sound Sorting Bottles

Description:
Fill small, clear bottles with different materials—like rice, pasta, bells, or beads—so each pair makes a distinct sound. Invite toddlers to shake the bottles, listen carefully, and match the ones that sound the same. It’s a playful and hands-on way for them to explore with their senses and begin making thoughtful choices(Berk & Meyers, 2023).

Learning & Wellbeing Focus:
Through this simple, engaging activity, toddlers are:

  • Practicing listening closely and matching by sound (auditory discrimination)

  • Building memory, focus, and early thinking skills

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3. (2–3) Years: “What Comes Next?” Story Sequencing Cards

Description:

Create a simple set of picture cards that show a familiar routine—like brushing teeth, putting on pyjamas, and reading a book. Invite toddlers to look at the cards and arrange them in the order they think makes sense. Together, you can talk about the routine and even act it out if they like!

Learning & Wellbeing Focus:

Through this storytelling activity, toddlers are:

  • Learning to sequence events and make sense of time

  • Strengthening cause-and-effect thinking and early logic

  • Developing language and storytelling skills

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