Cognitive development

What It Means

Cognitive development is the growth of a child's ability to learn, think, remember and solve problems. CDC tracks it as one of four areas on its milestone checklists and describes it as learning, thinking and problem-solving. A baby shows it by searching for a toy that rolled out of sight, and a preschoolerPreschoolerA child from 3 to 5 years old, the age band the CDC uses for its preschool parenting guidance. See more by copying a circle, heeding a warning about something hot, or counting out loud.

How Parents Say It

• "She figured out how to open the gate by herself."
• "He can count to ten now, mostly."
• "She remembers exactly where I hid the cookies."

The Breakdown

Cognitive milestones, from CDC's checklists

These are a few items from longer lists, and children reach them at their own pace. CDC places each milestone where most children already are, so many children get there earlier.

Everyday thinking at home. Hide-and-find games, sorting laundryLaundry sortingDividing dirty laundry into loads that can be washed together safely, by color, how dirty it is, lint and the care each fabric needs. See more by color, helping count spoons into the drawer and talking through "what happens next?" in a storyUser storyA short description of something a product should do, written from the point of view of the person who needs it, often in the form "As a, I want, so that." See more all give a child practice at remembering and working things out. These are simple play ideas of our own rather than CDC advice.

When to talk to the doctor. CDC recommends talking with your child's doctor about any concern with how your child plays, learns or solves problems. Because each milestone sits where most children have already reached it, one missing item is reason enough to bring it up. Take the checklist for your child's age to the visit and note a few things you've watched your child figure out.

Good to Know

Cognitive growth rarely happens alone. Language helps a child think things through, and movement skills let them explore, which is why CDC's checklists cover all four areas together. The checklists are free on CDC's "Learn the Signs. Act Early." site, and its "MilestonesDevelopmental milestonesSkills most children can do by a certain age, like rolling over or waving bye-bye. CDC places each at the age 75% or more of children reach it. See more In Action" pages show short photos and videos of each skill so you know what to look for.

Related Terms and Categories

• Developmental milestones

  Skills most children can do by a certain age, like rolling over or waving bye-bye. CDC places each at the age 75% or more of children reach it.

• Executive function

  The mental skills that let a person plan, focus, remember instructions and control impulses: working memory, mental flexibility and self-control.

• Number sense

  A child's growing feel for numbers: knowing how many are in a small group, counting objects one by one, and knowing the last number counted is the total.

• Pretend play

  Play in which a child acts out something that isn't real, like feeding a doll, using a block as a phone, or being a superhero.

• Fine motor skills

  Small, precise movements of the wrists, hands and fingers, like picking up small bits of food, scribbling, stringing beads or doing buttons.

Parenting and child development