C1.1 Normative stage Developmental Patterns of Physical Development from 0-8yrs

What are the cognitive development milestones from 0-6 months?

• Explores the world through senses (sight, sound, touch, smell and taste)

• Begins to recognise familiar faces, voices, and objects

• Shows early cause-and-effect awareness (e.g. shaking a rattle makes sound)

What are the cognitive development milestones from 6-12 months?

• Develops knowledge of object permanence (understands objects still exist when out of sight)

• Uses trial-and-error to solve simple problems learning from this process (e.g. pulling a blanket to reach a toy)

• Recognises their own name and responds to simple instructions

• Begins imitation (copying actions gestures, or sounds)

What are the cognitive development milestones from 1-2 years?

• Rapid growth in memory and problem-solving

• Begins to use symbols - understands pictures represent objects

• Engages in pretend play (feeding a doll, pretending to talk on phone)

• Understands simple concepts like “big/small” or “In/out”

• By two years, they can recognise themselves in a mirror and remember past experiences 

What are the cognitive development milestones from 2-3 years?

• Expanding language and thinking skills support more complex thought

• Can sort objects by shape or colour

• Understands time-related routines (“after lunch we nap”) and the ideas of past and present

• Enjoys imaginative play and role-play

• Asks lots of “why” questions - beginning of logical thinking skills

What are the cognitive development milestones from 3-5 years?

• Understand concepts of numbers, size, and time

• Can count small groups of objects

• More advanced problem-solving (puzzles, building structures)

• Begins to distinguish real vs pretend

• Shows increased memory recall (retells stories/events)

• Can follow 2-3 step instructions

What are the cognitive development milestones from 5-8 years?

• More logical and organised thinking emerges

• Understands cause-and-effect more clearly

• Begins to grasp conservation (e.g. the amount of liquid is the same even if in different containers)

• Reads, writes and uses symbols (number/letters) more fluently

• Can plan ahead and predict outcomes

• Increased attention span and ability to concentrate on tasks