Cognitive Activities for Infants & Toddlers

Cognitive activities help with a child's ability to learn and process information. Cognitive development involves a series of activities that help infants and toddlers with problem solving, reasoning, thinking and memory skills. Biologist Jean Piaget, who has become a prominent figure in child development, produced a theory outlining how structured stages of thinking change from infants to teenagers.

  1. Toys

    • According to Piaget's theory of cognitive development, from the infant stage, children begin to realize that there are reactions and consequences for the actions they make. For example, if a child pressed a button on a toy, then a sound is heard, or if he takes a block and inserts it into the correct slot, it develops his fine and gross motor skills. Fine motor skills are in relation to the fingers and eyes, while gross motor skills deal with the muscles used to pick up objects, walk, run and stand. Toys provide the components needed to develop an infant's cognitive behavior.

    Affection and Discipline

    • Affection and nurturing are essential to a child's cognitive development. Erik Erikson, a developmental psychologist and psychoanalyst, stated that infants go through a stage called "Trust vs. Mistrust" and toddlers go through a stage called "Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt." His theory on "Trust vs Mistrust" explains that if an infant receives support from her parents she can become trusting of others--even gullible. A child who gets rejected or harmed in the care of a parent will likely develop depression, and she will become untrusting. According to the Virtual Teacher Aide, Erikson's theory on "Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt" explains that a parent showing an equal balance of encouragement and restraint teaches toddlers autonomy. Parents restricting or criticizing toddlers causes them to develop self-doubt. Holding and disciplining your child are activities that benefit your baby.

    Music

    • It is unknown how music can improve the physical and mental conditions of babies. In May 2009, Dr. Manoj Kumar and colleagues introduced music to preterm babies, and concluded that music contributes to a healthy heart rate, oxygen saturation and a decrease in pain after surgical procedures. Music even promotes the health of non-preterm babies. It also helps boost a toddler's memory and rhythm and keeps them calm.

    Books

    • Parents who read to their infants or toddlers will help improve their listening skills and their sight. According to Parenting Science, babies learn to speak if adults talk to them repetitively. Reading and pointing at the words or pictures teaches your child to talk. Encouraging her to speak will give her confidence. Books are an essential part of a child's development because they help them learn new words and teach them to read.

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