As your child matures it is important to foster all areas of development in their play activities, including cognitive development.  Cognitive play comprises of activities that utilize thinking and reasoning processes.  You may not realize it, but your child uses his or her cognitive skills to an extent in all forms of play.  The extent to which your child’s thinking and reasoning skills have developed varies by age and by child.  When thinking of activities to promote cognitive development, keep your child’s abilities and limitations in the back of your mind.  Do not push your child to do something they are not developmentally ready to do.

Try to create a play environment that pushes your child to make discoveries and experiment with the materials.  Peak your child’s curiosity by interacting with them in ways that will spark their thinking.  Make sure to give your child many opportunities to work on their skills every chance you can.  You can do this by using toys and materials that encourage your child to using problem solving techniques.  Have your child participate in dramatic play that has them use cooperation and negotiation with others.  Provide your child with props that they can construct their own representation of items.  Make games available that have simple rules that your child can follow.  Include games and activities that your child can play by themselves, but still work on their cognitive skills while doing so.  Even if your child doesn’t seem to be artistic, make art materials available for them to express themselves through art play.  Make sure that you make play materials and toys available both indoors and outdoors so your child can express themselves in different environments. 

Here are just a few ideas for toys and materials that may encourage your child to use their cognitive skills:

• Board games that encourage thinking and problem solving
• Puzzles that are complete with all pieces, and age appropriate
• Computer games
• Guessing and Memory games
• Treasure hunts
• Writing utensils
• Sand and Water play materials
• Inventor box for dramatic play.  Includes props for problem solving and creativity
• Woodwork materials which will help them compare items, predict things and understand the concept of cause and effect
• Colored chalk for the outdoors

When your child is participating in cognitive activities it is important to give them enough time and space to do so.  If they are distracted or cramped their concentration will be broken and they won’t get as much out of the experience.  You may choose to give involved in the play and model the skills that you want your child to learn.  Give them the confidence to try the activities for themselves. 

Keep in mind it important to keep your child thinking during play, even at a young age.  Using some of the tips above will foster cognitive development in your child.

Sources: Cognitive Play – Department of Community Development, Government of Western Australia; Play and Child Development (2005) by Joe L. Frost, Sue C. Wortham & Stuart Reifel