Cognitive Development &
A Typical Course of Study for Preschool

By Frances Wisniewski and Diane Flynn Keith
With Contributions By Annette M. Hall

You hear a lot in the media about how researchers in the field of early childhood education say the early years of life, from ages 0-5, are the prime time for brain development. They tell us that children should be exposed to numerous experiences that lead to cognitive development so that they will have academic success when they begin school.

What exactly is "cognitive development" and what can preschool parents do to encourage it in their own young children without sending them to preschool?

There's no big mystery to "cognitive development." It refers to functions of the brain such as thinking, learning, awareness, judgment, and processing information. These are things healthy children do quite naturally as they learn and grow.

Here are some of the activities that correlate with the cognitive developmental stage of 2-5 year olds. A typical course of study designed for preschoolers suggests concepts that educators think children ages 2-5 should learn.

What follows is an adapted and simplified listing of the World Book Encyclopedia's Typical Course of Study for Preschoolers.

It suggests the key concepts to help children understand during the preschool years.

Activities should help the preschooler to:

Understand Size:

Big and little.
Long and short.

Identify Colors and Shapes:

Recognize and name primary colors - red, yellow, blue, green, white, black.
Recognize and identify circles, squares, rectangles, and triangles.
Match objects based on shape.

Identify Numbers & Count:

Recognize numbers from 1-10.
Count to ten.
Count objects in one-to-one correspondence.

Reading Readiness Concepts & Skills:

Has been read to daily.
Uses left-to-right progression.
Understands that print carries a message.
Looks at pictures and tells a story.
Knows what a letter is and is familiar with the alphabet.
Identifies own first name in manuscript.
Prints own first name.
Tells the meaning of simple words.

Listening and Sequencing:

Follows simple directions.
Listens attentively.
Recognizes common sounds.
Retells simple stories in sequence.

Position and Direction:

Child should understand:
- up and down
- in and out
- front and back.
- over, on, and under
- top, bottom, middle
- time - such as morning, noon, night
- knows age and birthday
- Can identify a calendar

Motor Skills:

Child is able to:
- run
- walk a straight line
- jump
- alternate feet walking down stairs
- throw a ball
- paste objects
- button and zip a garment
- builds with blocks
- completes simple puzzles (5 pieces or less)
- draw and color beyond a simple scribble
- control pencil and crayon well
- cut simple shapes with scissors (handles scissors well)

Social-Emotional Development:

Note: This list includes skills necessary to attend school. If you intend to homeschool, then some of these items would not be necessary. Homeschooled children can develop these skills in a much more natural and less stressful way.

Can be away from parents or primary care givers for 2-3 hours without being upset.
Takes care of toilet needs independently.
Knows full name.
Dresses self.
Knows how to use handkerchief or tissue.
Knows parents' names.
Knows home address.
Knows home phone number.
Gets along well with other children.
Recognizes authority.
Shares with others.
Talks easily.
Able to stay on task.
Able to work independently.
Helps family with chores.

Would you like activities that you can do at home to help your children learn these concepts? Then check out our very own...

Home Preschool Curriculum

Fun and Easy Activities to Boost Your Tot's Brain Power
and Provide a Head Start on Early Learning