From the time a child is born, they are immediately immersed in a highly social world. Parents and siblings, care providers and playmates are all part of a child’s social landscape, along with values & objects that are a typical part of a child’s culture. These elements together are what provides context for a child’s cognitive development and growth early on.
During the preschool years of ages 3 to 5, a child’s thinking skills are growing exponentially and their ability to use representational thought and symbols is becoming more complex. This is the age where most children begin to use logic and show interest in understanding the world around them. There are still a number of cognitive limitations that preschoolers face which can affect their social environment. One way for parents and teachers to engage a preschooler’s thinking skills is through books. By reading children’s books that promote reasoning, problem solving, symbolic play, memory, and social cognition, you can help your preschooler hone their cognitive development skills.
Problem Solving
A child’s natural curiosity makes them want to explain how things around them work or why certain events occur. Parents can use books to pose thought-provoking questions that will get preschoolers to reason and problem solve issues they may be faced with. Whether you use the book “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” to discuss changes & growth or the book “The Three Little Pigs” to talk about problem solving, you can use a few minutes each day to help your child develop better reasoning skills.
Symbolic Play
Between the ages 3 to 5, children develop symbolic representation where objects can stand in as “pretend” items. A block becomes a phone or a box can become a mini hide out, etc. During this time period, preschoolers begin to understand the difference between what is real and what is pretend. Children often identify with characters in a book they enjoy so it’s a great idea to find stories that show characters participating in pretend play in unique ways. “Have Fun, Molly Lou Melon” is a great choice and stimulates a preschooler’s imagination by showing that you don’t always need fancy toys or electronics to have fun. Instead, the main character makes dolls out of sticks. You can read the book with your preschooler and then present them with similar craft items to let them create something in their imagination on their own.
Social Cognition
Social cognition is when a preschooler thinks about others and social situations. As a child’s social cognition grows, they become better able to understand why others behave the way they do or feel the way they feel when something happens to them. Reading a fun book on feelings and how they relate to thoughts & behaviors is a great way that parents can promote social cognition. A popular book example would be “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.” This is a great way to have children express empathy and understand the logic behind other people’s feelings and actions.
At Kids ‘R’ Kids Avalon Park, we are focused on helping preschoolers develop and hone all the important skills necessary to function in their every day environment. That includes social cognition and independent thinking and exploring. We love using books and story time to help refine these skills and our award winning curriculum is a big reasons why parents trust us for preschool enrollment. Contact one of our educators today to discuss our preschool program and how it can benefit your young child.