The Council is excited to announce that later this year we will release the newly-revised third edition of the landmark textbook Essentials for Child Development Associates Working with Young Children. The new Essentials will provide all of the most current research, information, ideas and strategies needed by entry-level early childhood professionals. The textbook will be organized around each of the thirteen Functional Areas, along with new information about reflection, intentionality, observation, documentation and other key topics of interest to contemporary teachers and caregivers.
In our last article we reflected on "Functional Area 3 – Physical". Please see, below, the many responses we received about this topic from members of the national CDA community. This month, we focus on... Cognitive Development
Here is an advanced sneak peek of "Chapter 5: Cognitive" for you to reflect on...
"Cognitive development" refers to how our ability to think expands as we grow. The preschool years are an especially exciting time for cognitive development. During the preschool years children's brains are developing at great speed. In fact so many connections are being made that a preschooler's brain is more active than at any other time in life.
As preschool children get to know their world, they learn what it is like to reason, to expand their memories, to solve problems, to think symbolically, to employ logic, to predict how things will turn out, to take on others' perspectives and to better understand cause and effect. All of these thinking skills will serve them well throughout their lifetimes. And all of these thinking skills can be developed during the preschool years.
You play a vital role in supporting children's cognitive growth. You do this by:
- Recognizing and understanding what the major theorists and brain researchers have to say about preschoolers' cognitive development.
- Using everyday experiences to contribute to children's intellectual development.
- Addressing children where they are developmentally and challenging them to learn more.
- Encouraging children to be investigators of math, science, social studies and technology.
Please take a moment to reflect on your own teaching practices. What else might you add to the above list? What do you think are the most important goals to remember in supporting young children's cognitive development? What tips and strategies would you share with others?
CDA Community Reflections on our last topic... "Physical Development"
Last month, we asked the CDA community to send us their thoughts about the topic of the last article, "Physical Development," to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Thank you to everyone who responded. Here are some of the many wise responses we received:
"One of the most important things I've learned as a Pre-K teacher is how much I rely on infant and toddler teachers to provide puzzles, manipulatives and big crayons. The children who are best able to hold a smaller crayon, marker or pencil are the ones who had lots of fine motor experiences before they got to my classroom."
- Christine H.
Ithaca, NY"It is so important for young children to try new things and play on the playground. That means that, as much as I want to sit and take a break when we're outside, it's more important than ever for me to playing alongside them and spot them on equipment. Let young children go UP slides!"
- Vicki R.
Sherman Oaks, CA"We have such an obesity problem in this country. We have to make sure that young children have time to run around and move every day and that we help them love it!"
- Georgia M.
Belleville, MI
Send your thoughts, along with your first name, last initial, city and state, to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Next month, we'll share with you all of the wise responses we received from across the national CDA community. In addition, we may also print your name and reflection in the new Essentials textbook and share your great ideas with all of the CDA-seeking community college students around the country who use Essentials as their primary textbook!
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