The term refers to the mental processes and abilities that a child goes through as they grow and mature, including thinking, problem-solving, language acquisition, and memory.
Related terms
Piaget's Stages of Cognitive Development: Jean Piaget's theory that describes four distinct stages of cognitive development that children go through as they interact with their environment.
Lev Vygotsky's theory that emphasizes the role of social interaction and cultural tools in shaping a child's cognitive development.
Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD): The range between what a child can accomplish independently and what they can achieve with guidance or assistance from others.