Cognitive development refers to the process in which our brain builds, processes and develops information to allow us to understand the world around us. It helps us to develop skills such as thinking, memory, processing and understanding.
Fine Motor Skills are the skills that develop following on from the progression of gross motor movements. This is because fine motor skills require the strength and coordination of the gross motor muscles in order to operate smaller muscles in the body, such as hands, fingers and wrists.
When a baby is born, development starts in the head with the ability to control movements in the face, moving onto the larger body muscles such as core, legs and arms. It is likely that by the age of two most children will be able to walk and run, however Gross Motor skills will continue to improve throughout childhood.
As children grow, they notice and recognise sounds in the world around them and begin to associate them in meaningful contexts. By being exposed to speech and language, they too will learn to talk.
From the day your baby is born, they begin to learn about the world around them through their senses and sensory play provides an essential foundation for children’s overall development.
Social and Emotional development is the ability to understand different feelings and emotions, recognising them in others and then responding to them in an appropriate way. Which is an awful lot to ask of a child!
