English
Introduction
From the moment a child is born, he or she begins to actively explore the world around him or her. This process of cognition is a complex and fascinating journey, in which all the senses, emotions and thinking are involved in. We will look at:
– The main stages of cognition of the world from 0 to 7 years old
– The role of parents in this process
– Practical tips on how to support the natural development of the child.
1. Stages of cognition of the world
�� 0-1 year: ‘I feel, so I exist’
At this stage, the infant learns about the world through:
✔ Touch – grabbing toys, touching different surfaces
✔ Taste and smell – pulling everything into his/her mouth
✔ Hearing – turning his/her head to sounds, recognising mum’s voice
✔ Sight – following moving objects
Example: A rattle for a baby is not just a toy, but a whole exploration (sound + shape + colour).
1-3 years: ‘I can do it myself!’
The child begins:
✔ To walk and expand the territory – climbs into all corners
✔ To speak the first words – names objects (‘ball’, ‘dog’)
✔ To imitate adults – “cooks” in a toy kitchen, ‘talks’ on the phone.
Danger: At this age, children often take things apart (‘and what’s inside?’), so it is better to put away fragile objects.
Ages 3-5: ‘Why is the grass green?’:
✔ Actively asks questions – ‘Why is the sky blue?’, ‘Where does the sun go?’.
✔ Fantasises – makes up nonexistent friends, stories
✔ Plays role-playing games – becomes a doctor, a teacher, superhero.
Tip: If you don’t know the answer to a question, encourage your child to look it up together in a book or experiment.
Ages 5-7: ‘How does it work?’
Preschooler:
✔ Analyses – compares, sorts (colour, size)
✔ Interested in mechanisms – takes apart clocks to understand gears
✔ Learns to read and count – learning through symbols (letters, numbers)
Idea: Give your child ‘adult’ tasks – for example, help plant a plant and watch it grow.
2. How do children learn about the world? 5 main ways
1. Through movement
– Crawling, climbing, and jumping help them understand space.
2. Through play
– Cubes develop logic, dolls develop emotional intelligence.
3. Through experimentation
– ‘What happens when you mix colours?’ – such experiments teach cause-and-effect relationships.
4. Through communication
– Talking with parents expands vocabulary and outlook.
5. Through creativity
– Drawing, modelling, music – ways to express impressions.
Important: Cognition always goes from simple to complex:
First ‘This is a ball – it is round’, then ‘The ball rolls because it is round’.
3. The role of parents: how to help rather than harm?
✅ What to do?
– Answer questions – even if there are 100 a day.
– Create a safe environment – let the child touch, smell, try things (within reasonable limits).
– Play together – build a fort out of pillows, make ships in a bowl.
❌ What to avoid?
– ‘Stay out!’, ‘Don’t touch!’ – such prohibitions inhibit cognitive interest.
– Comparisons with other children – everyone develops at their own pace.
– Overload of activities – the child should have time for free play.
Example: Instead of ‘Get away from the puddle!’ say, ‘Let’s see how clouds are reflected in it, but then we’ll put on dry socks.’
4. 5 games for developing cognitive skills
1. ‘Guess by Touch.’
– Put different objects (a pinecone, a coin, a button) in a baggie and ask them to guess them.
2. ‘Home Garden’
– Plant a bean in a glass and watch it grow.
3. ‘Where is the sound hidden?’
– Hide a ticking clock and invite them to find it by the sound.
4. ‘Magic Crayon.’
– Draw on the pavement with wet chalk and watch the drawings disappear, and watch the drawings disappear.
5. ‘Why’s Day.’
– Allow your child to ask any questions, and in the evening together look for answers in the encyclopaedia.
Conclusion
Cognition of the world for a child is not a lesson, but an adventure. The task of adults is not to teach, but to create conditions for natural development:
– To give freedom to explore
– Answer questions with interest
– Encourage curiosity
General rule: A child who takes apart an alarm clock today may invent a new engine tomorrow. Let him be a explorer!
