Growing Great Thinkers: Cognitive Development in the Early Years

 Growing Great Thinkers: Cognitive Development in the Early Years

Train the Brain

“Everything we say to a child is absorbed, cataloged, and remembered.” – Maria Montessori

In the early years, every moment matters. From stacking blocks to asking a million “why” questions before lunch, young children are actively wiring their brains for thinking, problem-solving, and understanding the world around them. This is cognitive development in action
and it’s one of the most important foundations we can build.

What Is Cognitive Development?

Cognitive development is the process by which children grow in their ability to think, reason, remember, and solve problems. It starts from birth and continues all the way through adulthood. Think of it as the brain’s "growing up" journey, shaped by genetics, environment, culture, and daily experiences.

In the early years, this growth is rapid and incredibly responsive to stimulation. That’s why the experiences we provide during this time are so powerful.

Why It Matters in the Early Years

Building cognitive skills in the early years isn't just about getting ready for school, it's about setting children up for life. 

Brain Development: These early years are a critical time for building brain connections. Stimulating environments and meaningful experiences help wire the brain for thinking, learning, and remembering.

Academic Success: Skills like attention, memory, and problem-solving are essential building blocks for learning. Children with strong cognitive foundations are better prepared to thrive in school and beyond.

Social & Emotional Growth: Cognitive skills like language and reasoning help children express themselves, solve social conflicts, and understand others’ perspectives.

Self-Regulation: A child who can focus, wait their turn, or manage big emotions is using cognitive tools like attention control and planning—all of which begin developing early.

How We Build Thinking Brains (Without Worksheets!) 

Many strategies are used on a daily basis at school which are purposely planned to encourage cognitive development these include but not limited to:

Creating a stimulating environment - Young children learn best when they are engaged and curious. Creating a stimulating environment with age-appropriate books, toys, puzzles, and games can help encourage exploration and learning.

Encouraging exploration and curiosity -  Encouraging children to explore their environment, ask questions, and try new things and opportunities for hands-on learning and discovery.

Using positive reinforcement and feedback - Positive reinforcement, such as praise,can be an effective way to encourage children to develop cognitive skills. Providing feedback that is specific, constructive, and age-appropriate can help children learn and improve.

Providing opportunities for problem-solving and decision-making  - Encourage children to think critically and solve problems. Provide age-appropriate challenges and opportunities for decision-making to help them develop these skills.

Reading and storytelling - Reading and storytelling are excellent ways to promote language development, cognitive skills, and a love of learning. Encourage children to ask questions, make predictions, and connect what they are reading to their own experiences.

Encouraging imaginative play - Imaginative play, such as playing dress-up or pretending to be a doctor, can help develop creativity, problem-solving, and social skills.

By using these strategies, parents and caregivers can also help support children's cognitive development and set them up for success in life

“The mind is EVERYTHING, what you think you become,
what you feel you attract what you imagine you create ”

Growing Open-Minded Learners in the Early Years

"When we listen to others, we grow our thinking"

 

What Does It Mean to Be Open-Minded?

Being open-minded means appreciating different perspectives, being willing to try new things, and respecting others’ beliefs, cultures, and ideas. In an early years setting, this learner profile attribute helps children develop empathy, curiosity, and an inclusive mindset—values that will serve them throughout their lives.

What Does Open-Mindedness Look Like in the Early Year?

In an early years classroom, open-mindedness shows up in simple yet powerful moments. It’s seen when a child includes a peer who speaks a different language by using gestures or engaging in shared play, or when children eagerly try food from another culture during a celebration. It’s reflected when a group agrees to build a tower using a new idea offered by someone else, or when a child chooses to explore a new material, like clay instead of crayons, just to see what it feels like. These everyday experiences foster flexibility, confidence, and kindness—key traits of open-minded learners.

How Do We Encourage It?

We create a classroom culture that promotes open-mindedness by reading stories from different cultures and discussing the characters’ experiences, inviting families to share their traditions and cultural practices, and celebrating diversity in languages, food, music, and dress. We also model respectful communication and encourage curiosity about others. Children are supported to listen to different ideas, ask thoughtful questions, and reflect on what they’ve learned, helping them build a strong foundation for understanding and appreciating perspectives different from their own.

Why It Matters

Helping children develop open-mindedness is more than just a classroom goal—it’s a lifelong value. In a world that’s increasingly connected, we need compassionate, thoughtful individuals who are willing to listen, learn, and grow with others. By fostering open-mindedness in the early years, we’re planting the seeds of global citizenship, empathy, and understanding. It starts small—with a shared toy, a new idea, a brave “yes”—but it grows into something truly powerful.

"Different is not wrong — it’s just another way to be right."

Fostering Curiosity: Nurturing Inquirers in the Early Years

Fostering Curiosity: Nurturing Inquirers in the Early Years

Inquiry is the foundation of all progress; it is through questioning that we begin to understand the world around us.

What is the Inquirer Learner Profile?

The Inquirer learner profile describes students who develop a natural curiosity about the world and actively seek knowledge through inquiry and research. Inquirers ask meaningful questions, explore new ideas, and engage in hands-on learning experiences that deepen their understanding. They demonstrate a love for learning that extends beyond the classroom, fostering independent thinking and problem-solving skills.

Cultivating Inquirers in Early Years

Inquirers in the early years are naturally curious learners who explore the world around them through play, questions, and hands-on experiences. They show a desire to understand how things work, often asking “why” and “how” as they engage with their environment. In the early years classroom, inquirers investigate ideas, make observations, and express their thinking through drawing, talking, and experimenting. Teachers nurture this curiosity by providing rich, open-ended learning experiences that encourage children to wonder, explore, and discover at their own pace. By supporting inquiry through play-based learning and encouraging children to follow their interests, educators help develop confident, independent learners with a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

Benefits of Being an Inquirer

Instilling an "inquirer" mindset in children fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and a love for lifelong learning. By encouraging them to ask questions, explore ideas, and seek out answers independently, children develop problem-solving skills and enhance their ability to analyze information. This approach also promotes independence, confidence, and emotional resilience as they navigate challenges, while building collaboration and communication skills through shared inquiry experiences. An inquirer mindset nurtures creativity and innovation, as children are encouraged to think outside the box and apply their learning to real-world situations. It supports holistic development, preparing children to be thoughtful, resourceful, and engaged individuals.

"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing." – Albert Einstein

Manipulatives - Bright minds start with loose parts! 

Young children learn best through hands-on experiences, and manipulatives—such as blocks, counting bears, and shape sorters—play a vital role in their cognitive and motor skill development. These tactile tools encourage exploration, problem-solving, and creativity while building essential early math and literacy concepts.

By incorporating manipulatives into play-based learning, we empower children to make sense of the world around them in a concrete, meaningful way. Whether it's sorting, stacking, or measuring, these tools support fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and collaborative learning.

What is Loose Parts Play & Why is it Important in the Early Years?

The teacher term is “manipulatives”, and as the name implies, it consists of loose pieces that children can easily move and explore. These are open-ended materials like blocks, magnets, connectors, boxes, crates, pipes, buckets, rocks, leaves, and much more. They’re materials that children can manipulate by moving, combining, designing, redesigning, lining up, taking apart, and putting back together in multiple ways.

Manipulatives in the early years play a vital role in children's cognitive (thinking) and fine motor (small hand muscles) development. Loose parts have no instructions, no predetermined rules. They’re open-ended and child-directed—an essential accessory for play in every early years setting.

Benefits of Loose Parts as an Everyday Resource

The benefits of loose parts play for children’s development are endless!

Loose parts are:

• Portable – Children love that they can move them around, giving them ownership over their play experience.

• Open-ended – Inherently flexible, they can be used in countless ways.

• Sensory-rich – Perfect for exploring textures, weights, patterns, shapes, and discovering what happens when they bang, rub, or crush them together.

• A spark for imagination and creativity – Children decide what they become and how they’ll be used.

• Developmentally appropriate – Kids engage with them in ways that match their developmental stage.

• Skill-building and competency-enhancing – Supporting problem-solving, cooperation, decision-making, fine and gross motor skills, independence, vocabulary, as well as physical, artistic, mathematical, and scientific exploration.

• Expanding play possibilities – Enriching social, constructive, symbolic, dramatic, and exploratory play.

"When children interact in manipulative, they enter a world of ‘what if’ that promotes the type of thinking that leads to problem-solving and theoretical reasoning. Loose parts enhance children’s ability to think imaginatively and see solutions, and they bring a sense of adventure and excitement to children’s play." – Daly & Beloglovsky, 2015

Nurturing Balanced Learners: A Holistic Approach in the Early Years

 Fostering balanced learners in the early years is crucial for their overall development.

What is the Balanced Learner Profile?

The Balanced Learner Profile emphasizes physical, intellectual, and emotional well-being. It encourages children to maintain a healthy balance between learning, play, rest, and emotional regulation. By fostering these habits early, children develop lifelong skills in self-care, time management, and responsible decision-making.

 

What Balance Looks Like in the Early Years Classroom

In the early years classroom, balance is achieved through a variety of activities, including structured learning, play, outdoor time, and creative expression. Teachers encourage healthy eating habits and physical movement throughout the day while also providing opportunities for quiet time and self-reflection. Social-emotional learning is embedded in daily routines to help children manage emotions and navigate social interactions.

How Teachers Support Balanced Learners

Teachers play a significant role in ensuring that children experience a well-rounded education. They structure the day with a mix of activities that balance academic learning, movement, and rest. Encouraging self-care habits, such as drinking water, eating nutritious snacks, and taking breaks, is essential. Teachers also model and support emotional regulation by discussing emotions and incorporating mindfulness techniques into the classroom.

How Parents Can Foster Balance at Home

Parents play a crucial role in reinforcing balance at home by encouraging a daily routine that includes play, rest, and learning. Promoting healthy habits such as nutritious meals, outdoor play, and proper sleep supports children’s physical well-being. Parents can model emotional balance by discussing feelings, problem-solving together, and setting screen time limits to allow for hands-on activities. 

Practical Activities for Home & School

Balance can be nurtured through simple, engaging activities that encourage both physical and mental growth. Storytime with discussions about emotions, balance, and choices helps children develop self-awareness. Mindfulness activities, such as deep breathing and simple stretches, promote relaxation. Outdoor play builds motor skills and fosters social interaction, while creative activities like arts, music, and sensory play offer emotional expression. Parents can also involve children in small household tasks to encourage responsibility.

A balanced learner is physically active, emotionally aware, and intellectually curious. Both school and home environments play a crucial role in developing these skills. Small daily actions, such as establishing healthy habits, structured routines, and open communication, contribute to long-term success. By working together, we can ensure our preschoolers develop into well-rounded, balanced learners. 

"A child who plays, learns, rests, and explores grows into a well-rounded thinker and doer."