Cognitive Development in Toddlers

Cognitive development in toddlers refers to the thinking, reasoning and problem solving abilities (also known as intellectual processes) that toddlers learn and develop as they grow.

These areas impact how they see the world around them and their thinking, reasoning and problem solving abilities.

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Cognitive development in toddlers includes many areas of brain development such as:

  • Focus
  • Attention
  • Sorting and classifying
  • Cause and effect
  • Memory (including imitating and recalling information)

These areas change over time through their daily live experiences.

As we discussed on the main toddler growth and development page, children develop in specific stages but at their own pace.

Some of your toddlers may still be developing their younger toddler skills while others may be developing early preschool skills.

Let’s look at the different areas of cognitive development in toddlers in more detail and how what they do in your classroom helps them develop in this area.

Cognitive Developmental Milestones for Toddlers

Keep in mind, the following is just a guide to cognitive development in toddlers. It does not mean that all your 2-3 year olds should have these things mastered.

The following are milestones of cognitive development in toddlers. Though the list is not exhaustive, it will help when creating activities that are appropriate for this age group.

  • Attempts to draw faces.
  • Understands what "one" and "two" means.
  • Names familiar objects.
  • Counts to three by rote.
  • Sorts objects by general categories.
  • Classifies objects by general categories.
  • Counts up to 3 objects.
  • Beginning to identify colors.
  • Beginning to see cause and effect in some tasks.
  • Beginning to take on characteristics and actions of role play.
  • Uses imaginary objects for pretend play.
  • Uses language for creating and sustaining plots during play.
  • Beginning to focus on and give attention to tasks for longer periods of time.

Considerations When Planning Cognitive Activities for Toddlers

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The above list of milestones, though listed as ones that support cognitive development in toddlers, also support other areas of development.

For example, when a toddler is attempting to draw faces, that also helps support creative development and can be part of your art table or easel activities in the classroom.

Many of the milestones are specifically mathematics related: counting objects, rote counting, classifying, sorting.

You do not need to have a math center in your toddler classroom to provide these types of activities, although many toddler teachers do.

These activities can be part of your art activities (sorting/choosing paper or crayons by color).

They can be part of your block center by adding toy vehicles that they can sort, classify and count.

Seeing cause and effect, although typically a science activity (which can be part of a science experiment) can also be supported through everyday transitions.

One example is learning that putting their mittens on before putting on their coat causes them to have difficulty putting on their coat.

Using language and imaginary props to carry out pretend play can happen in your dramatic play center, during a Storytime or during outside play.

Pulling Cognitive Development Milestones Together

To summarize, cognitive development in toddlers refers to all that is involved in your toddlers’  thinking/intellectual development.

The milestones can be supported through activities in all areas of your classroom and observed during play activities throughout the day.