The Cognitive Stages of Childhood Development

Children grow in stages. There are four key stages of childhood cognitive development: sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational. Geo Psychological Testing breaks down these four stages:

 

Sensorimotor

The sensorimotor stage of cognitive development takes place between birth and 2 years of age. At this stage, the child has limited communication skills and relies heavily on their five senses. They learn about the world around them through looking, listening, grabbing, and sucking. They begin to understand concepts such as object permanence and cause-effect.

 

Preoperational

The preoperational stage of cognitive development takes place between the ages of 2 and 7. Language development is a huge aspect of this stage. Children in this stage of development begin using words to describe the world around them. Though this allows them to better express themselves, they still think about things in concrete terms and struggle with logical reasoning. At this stage, children are egocentric and cannot see things from outside perspectives.

 

Concrete Operational

The concrete operational stage of cognitive development takes place between the ages of 7 and 11. During this stage, children are more logical and organized but still concrete and literal. They are less egocentric now, as they begin to understand there are contrasting viewpoints.

 

Formal Operational

The formal operational stage of cognitive development affects those ages 12 and up. Of all the developmental stages, formal operational is probably the most formative stage. At this stage, children have more abstract thoughts. This is the stage in which children begin exploring moral, philosophical, ethical, social, and political issues. Children at this stage also begin using deductive reasoning to solve problems. 

 

Concerned about your child’s cognitive development? At Geo Psychological Testing, our licensed clinical psychologists specialize in cognitive assessments. Your child will be tested on several aspects of cognition, including attention, memory, language, reaction time, motor function, problem-solving, decision-making, perception, and ability to learn. A cognitive assessment could provide the answers you’re seeking. For more information, visit our website or contact us! 

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