Cognitive development might not be observed as prominently as physical growth can be in toddlers, but they are equally essential to ensure your toddler’s development. In this article, we look at the cognitive milestones your baby will be reaching between 12 to 18 months of age.
Baby Finds Hidden Objects: By now, your toddler can manipulate objects and understand their intended use. Their cognitive development allows them to find things hidden under several layers of different items. Understanding the concept of object permanence, your baby can find the toys you hid under blankets or pillows. Playing simple hide and seek games can be a great way to encourage their curiosity.
Baby Pretend Plays: The correct usage of objects is a result of pretend play and motor skills. You can see your toddler pretend play by acting out everyday activities like talking on the phone or using a common household item to mirror your daily actions. Engaging in imaginative games helps your baby to learn more than just cognitive skills. They help them to develop social skills as well, further down the line.
Sorting Objects: As the fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination improves, your toddler will start sorting colours and shapes. Try encouraging them as these visual exercise helps in cognitive development. They will also be able to use the object for their intended purpose. For example, they will use hairbrush to brush their hair. You can also help them by showing them how to use items correctly, such as a phone or a cup.
Sense of Acheievement: Feeling proud of themselves or feeling a sense of achievement is the cognitive ability that your toddler will develop. You can see them getting excited after building a tower with their toy blocks or climbing on a piece of furniture, or not spilling food. The excitement stems from the independence that your toddler feels after accomplishing a task or activity by themselves.
Seeking Out Help: Being able to perform tasks or activities independently doesn’t mean that your toddler won’t need you anymore. The developing cognitive abilities allow your baby to understand your role as a caregiver and help them recognize that they can ask you for help.
Adventures of an Explorer: Improved motor skills combined with cognitive development and curiosity makes the kitchen drawers or cabinets look like an adventure to your toddler. They can open and close them, remove items from them and also remember which object goes where. It is an important milestone as it touched upon both motor and cognitive skills. Make sure to baby proof the cabinets and drawers to provide for safe explorations.
Solving Problems: Developing cognitive abilities also helps your baby to solve simple problems that they may encounter in their day-to-day lives. For example, they might bring a chair closer to enable them to reach something high-up. You can help them develop this ability through observation. For example, they may observe you trying to solve a simple puzzle and be able to do so by themselves.
Defying Instructions: This is also when your baby develops a sense of self and understands that they are separate from you. They will want to practice self-control and exert some control over their surroundings, leading to them defying you. This might be a bit frustrating, but it is essential learning for your toddler as it helps them become self-reliant.
This is an important time in your baby’s cognitive development as they experience a wide variety of emotions resulting from improved cognitive and motor abilities. Your love and support are an essential part of their cognitive journey.
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