Photo: Sarah M. Pope.

Language & Cognitive Development

Modern research on cognitive development has highlighted the central role of relationships
Relationships are key to cognitive development in early childhood. Social interaction is “the crucible in which children’s cognitive development takes place.” (Charlie Lewis & Jeremy I. M. Carpendale). This is corroborated by the strong influence of the early home environment on achievement in education: Children who are better prepared to learn when they arrive in school learn faster. Discover our articles and blogs about cognitive development in early childhood below.

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The giants of cognitive development theory are Piaget and Vygotsky. Piaget identified stages of development, which vary widely among children. Vygotsky focused on the social aspects of cognitive development.

A key foundation for cognitive development is executive function – a cluster of skills that enable learning – working memory, mental flexibility, self-control, sustaining attention, solving problems, following rules, setting goals, and delaying gratification.

Cognitive development is intertwined with social and emotional development. Behavioral problems interfere with education, particularly among boys.

Inhibitors of cognitive development

There are many early inhibitors to cognitive development in children’s homes: poverty (particularly when there is inadequate preschool day care to mitigate it), food insecurity, physical punishment and harsh parenting, stressed parents, parental depression, excessive screen time, and the child’s lack of sleep.

How parents can support cognitive development in early childhood

Researchers have defined many ways parents can support cognitive development: responsive care; effective parental “scaffolding”; effective discipline (especially with African American fathers); avoiding excessive control; talking with children to expand their vocabulary and language skills, including during play; encouraging bilingualism; and reading with children.

Play, often underestimated in mainstream education, is another key pathway to academic achievement, particularly play that is guided by parents. All types of play are important, including puzzles , number games, and pretend play.

Cognitive development in children is also enhanced when parents value education highly and help with homework.

Other things parents can do include fostering curiosity, inspiring awe and wonder, offering the right kind of praise, and encouraging a “growth mindset.”

Fathers

Fathers are just as important as mothers in supporting cognitive development in children; even just their presence in the home is helpful in doing so. Greater father involvement correlates with academic performance at school. This influence is frequently underestimated. As with mothers, play is important, as are setting boundaries and learning activities alone with the child. Researchers have found many differences in the ways mothers and fathers interact with children during play and reading.

The need for preschool education to support cognitive development in early childhood

Because of the central influence of parenting and the home environment, researchers in the United States have strongly recommended universal preschool education and parenting support to ensure more equal opportunities for all children. This means that disadvantaged children would arrive in school ready to learn faster. These supports should reach fathers, too.

Cultural variations in cognitive development

However, how cognitive development is nurtured varies considerably by culture. For example, in traditional communities in Africa, children do not learn through constant “why” questions. Learning happens more through children observing repeated patterns of behavior around them. Children in other societies also learn more from each other than in western cultures.

Language & Cognitive Development

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