cognitive development pp. 131 147

Cognitive Development (pp. 131 – 147)

North Carolina Foundations Task Force. (2013). North Carolina foundations for early learning and development. Raleigh: Author.

Subdomains and Goals• Social Connections (note the crossover into the cognitive domain)• Goal CD-6: Children demonstrate knowledge of relationships and roles within

their own families, homes, classrooms, and communities• Goal CD-7: Children recognize that they are members of different groups (e.g.,

family, preschool class, cultural group)• Goal CD-8: Children identify and demonstrate acceptance of similarities and

differences between themselves and others.• Goal CD-9: Children explore concepts connected with their daily experiences

in their community.

Subdomains and Goals (2)• Mathematical Thinking and Expression• Goal CD-10: Children show understanding of numbers and quantities during

play and other activities.• Goal CD-11: Children compare, sort, group, organize, and measure objects

and create patterns in their everyday environment• Goal CD-12: Children identify and use common shapes and concepts about

position during play and other activities• Goal CD-13: Children use mathematical thinking to solve problems in their everyday environment

Subdomain and Goals (3)• Scientific Exploration and Knowledge• Goal CD-14: Children observe and describe characteristics of living things and

the physical world.• Goal CD-15: Children explore the natural world by observing, manipulating

objects, asking questions, making predictions, and developing generalizations.

Social Connections (pp. 131 – 136)• Again, note the interrelatedness of cognitive development and social

development• Healthy relationships support cognitive development and later

academic and life success• Note the progressive and sequential developmental indicators for

each goal within the “social connections” subdomain• Use natural classroom experiences and interactions to “talk about the

importance of accepting people who are similar to and different from themselves”

Strategies for Infants and Toddlers• Help them feel safe and secure by responding to their needs and

holding them in ways that support secure attachments• Have diverse and multi-cultural books, materials and activities,

including things specifically related to a child’s family.• Note #4 on p. 135. Be discreet and sensitive to the cultures with

whom you are working. Ensure positive interactions with all families, no matter your own personal biases!!• Help children play together and support children with disabilities,

who speak different languages, or who may otherwise need help interacting positively with adults and other children.

Strategies for Preschoolers - Social• Provide props, equipment, materials, literature, music and activities

that reflect children’s families and community in addition to global diversity• Help children develop social skills that support positive relationships

and interactions with others• Provide activities that help children recognize similarities and

differences • Model and practice problem-solving strategies in natural and planned

experiences• Participate in service activities

Mathematical Thinking and Expression (pp. 137-143)• Note the progressive Developmental Indicators and the

interrelatedness of mathematical concepts in everyday explorations and activities with young children• Understand and plan for concept development as it relates to

mathematical thinking and expression: numbers, seriation, one-to-one correspondence, patterns, classification, spatial sense, conservation, etc.• Numbers and math concepts are best learned in naturally occurring

circumstances as opposed through direct instruction • NO WORKSHEETS!

Strategies for Infants and Toddlers• Use language to talk about and elaborate on math concepts• Provide toys and materials that promote sizing, one-to-one correspondence,

categorizing• Play games and sing songs that involve numbers and counting• Read books that involve math concepts (daily schedules, numbers, spatial

concepts such as “in the box” and “under the table”)• Call attention to and talk about patterns in nature. Play with natural

materials • Use sand and water play with many containers of various sizes• Count within the normal context of daily activities – 4 cups at snack

Strategies for Preschoolers• Provide a variety of toys and materials in all centers that support

development of mathematical thinking while promoting development in all developmental domains• Ask open-ended questions to help children analyze and problem solve

in everyday contexts and play• Use literacy (books, songs, finger plays, etc.) that promote math

concepts• Count, identify shapes and geometric figures, use schedules, measure

and weigh throughout the day through play and classroom routines.

Scientific Exploration and Knowledge (pp. 144 – 147)• Progressive Developmental Indicators are provided for each of the goals.• Scientific exploration and knowledge is enhance through multi-sensory

experiences• Children with disabilities may need additional supports so that they can

fully experience and explore • Motivation, curiosity, and wonder must be encouraged. • Help children observe, describe, collect, explain, predict, question,

compare, problem-solve, etc.• Encourage responsibility through care of living things

Strategies for Infants and Toddlers• Play with toys that encourage cause and effect activities• Observe children’s interests and use language to explore their

interests• Allow children to explore, including putting safe toys and objects in

their mouths, explore various textures and surfaces, look at moving and patterned objects, and other multi-sensory exploration• Use books, pictures, games that help children identify and learn about

the world around them

Strategies for Preschoolers• Use the scientific method within the natural context of exploring

topics of interest: observe, question, predict, experiment, draw conclusions, share results.• Help children ask questions, problem-solve, record their thinking

processes• Mental model thinking processes that encourage curiosity and

wonder• Provide equipment, tools, materials that encourage exploration and

can be used in a variety of ways. • Provide opportunities to explore natural materials in natural contexts.