PENGENALAN KEPADA PENDIDIKAN AWAL KANAK-KANAK

SEMESTER 2 /
JANUARI 2022

HBEC1203

COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT

MATRICULATION NO : 890219125674001
IDENTITY CARD NO. : 890219-12-5674
TELEPHONE NO. : 0183502181
E-MAIL : LYNCAYANONG@OUM.EDU.MY
LEARNING CENTRE : KENINGAU LEARNING CENTRE
Question 1
1.1 Introduction
Cognitive Development theory by Jean Piaget is one of the theory, necessity to understand the
children for Early Childhood Education educator. Jean Piaget suggests that children go through four
different stages of mental development. Which is not only focuses on understanding how children
acquire knowledge, but also understanding on the nature of intelligence. Piaget’s stages divided by
four stages they are:
Sensorimotor stage Birth to Two Years Old,
Preoperational stage Age Two to Eleven,
Concrete Operational stage Age Seven to Eleven,
Formal Operational stage Age Twelve to Up
Piaget’s believe children acquire an active role in the learning proses, act like scientist while
they perform experiments, make observations, and learn about the world. Children will continually
add new knowledge as they interact the new world around them, at same time they build existing
knowledge, and adapt previously idea to gratify new information. Four factors Affecting the
Individual Thought Process According to Piaget; Biological Maturity, Individual Interaction with
the Environment, Social Experience and Balance.
Cognitive development (thinking) is considered in sequential order from the lowest level of
“knowledge” to the most complex ‘assessment’. This means children must first acquire basic
knowledge before they gain an understanding of various knowledge networks to make application to
solve problem (MOK SOON SANG & LEE SHOK MEE, 1986)
The arithmetical model of cognitive are influenced by analytic philosophy that attempts
cognition into either linguistic or mathematics symbols manipulation (Lakoff & Johnson, 1999).
According to (Bloom, 1998: Lakoff & Johnson) cognitive science’s adoption of the computer
metaphor pushed abstraction of cognition and language even further by characterizing them as
products of an abstract, analytic, independent mind.
1.1.2
As we know Harzy Nadzim Mohd Hilmy Naim, a three-years-old Malaysian boy is currently
the youngest member of Mensa. He was accepted into the Mensa UK (United Kingdom) after scoring
142 on the Standford Binet test. This is a cognitive ability assessment used to determine Intelligence
Quotient (IQ). He mastered reading skill at the age of two and he could read the entirety of some his
favourite storybooks when he was in nursey.
Here I will give two examples of children with high IQ level and will explain details why these
two children are considered to have a high IQ as Harzy Nadzim Mohd Hilmy Naim.
1.1.3
On 16 August 2018 BBC News come out with a news that the three-years-old with and IQ of
171, was accepted by Mensa UK (United Kingdom). Ophelia is Natalie and Ben’s daughter joined
the IQ society Mensa at only three years old. By the age of two Ophelia was able to remember and
recite the alphabet. The parents then decided to bring Ophelia to assessed, by taking her to child
psychologist who specialist in gifted children.
 The three-years-old with an IQ of 171 with her parents (picture form bbc.com/news/education-45195807)
Ophelia took the Standford-Binet test, it used to access children from the age of two on areas
such as spatial awareness and verbal and logical skills. The average of IQ score for people of all ages
is 100, with most people ranging between 85 and 115. With the test Ophelia scored 171.
Exceptional children process things quickly, have a good memory, and are more attentive to
what is happening around them. Beside that they also have a thirst to learn, and parents find it difficult
to keep up, they can start at five in the morning, and they don’t stop until they go sleep says Lyn
Kendall, a psychologist and gifted child consultant for British Mensa.

Ophelia has an IQ of 171, far above the average

1.1.3
A two-years-old boy announced as an America’s youngest Mensa member with a 146 IQ. Kashe
Quest from Los Angeles, California, began to learning to read at age 1.5 years old, speak Spanish and
can identified all 50 states on a map. She picks up things fast and really interested in learning. She had
recognized all numbers, alphabet, colours, and shapes at 17, 18 months.

Two-years-old Kashe Quest began reading at an astoundingly young age (picture from New York post 26/05/2021)

She can to 100, known sign language and can identify elements on the periodic table by their
symbols. According to Mensa, a person must score at least 132 on the Standford-Binetare IQ test and
Kashe scored 146 IQ and make her a youngest Mensa member in 2021.

Kashe Quest began learning to read at 1.5 years old, speak Spanish and can identify all 50 states on a map
1.1.4
Here I will explain why both children considered to high IQ. Both Kashe and Ophelia have an
excellent memory, a good memory is important for a child to learn and retain new information, either
in school or home. Both these children have a good memory which they can remember alphabet,
numbers, or other things when they are 1 years old, which from here we can see they more advance
from other children that same age with them. According to Dr. Ren an infant with advanced memory
skills might remember where a toy was hidden or quickly recognize faces and locations.
Language these two children was able to speak or talk they first words very early age before the
age of two they can speak well and read some of words and can speak other language for example
Kashe can speak Spanish at the age of 1.5 years old. Children that learn language fast they are most
likely to imitate what they heard. According to the Davidson Institute (an education foundation for
early children) “early and prolific use of language is typical in profoundly gifted children”.
Children with high IO have a sense of curiosity, both these children have a high curiosity what
happened around them, it makes their brain to think and find the answer to the things that they want to
know, for example they see an apple half from there they will find out what makes the apple half, the
brain working the way they curios about the thing that they want to know. They will never stop
finding the answer until they solve the inner curiosity. Children like this have a very high self-esteem
and confident. They can take hours to solve the problem that related to their curiosity.

(1038 words)
1.2. Introduction
(Piaget, 1963, pp. 3-4) “Intelligence is an adoption. To say that intelligence is a particular
instance of biological adaption is thus to suppose that is essentially an organization and that its
function is to structure the universe just as the organism structures its immediate environment’.
According to Howard Gardner, all of us have multiple intelligence. Some of us have more of certain
intelligence and less of others. No two people have the exact same blend.
A child’s cognitive development is dependent on many factors with some factors effecting some
children more than others. According to (Sternberg & Kaufman, 2011) a child strongly influences by
others external factors, for example, a child with intelligent parents growing up in a wealthy
household may lose the positive benefits of having such a household if the parents are neglected.
1.2.1
Environment Factors.
In Topic two have discussed, there some of Intellectual resemblance between pairs of genetically
unrelated children who live in the same household.
Parents influence. Children of degree-educated parents perform particularly well during test
compared to the children of mother with no qualification. Children with matured parents will perform
better than children with younger parent. Parental care and attention play a very important role for
children cognitive development. Parents who emphasise on learning will score more on test. Reading
a book, play educational game, blocks, puzzle and any related to education things will have a positive
effect on a child’s IQ score.
Home environment. Children spend most of the time at their home and it easily effect by their
cognitive development. Children that come from middle class and above have more advantage for
positive development. For example, we can see an adopted child from middle class parents, they will
achieving above average IQs while their peers who remain in the poverty have lower IQ average.
According to the Flynn effect, people getting smarter throughout the 20 Th century. 1940s countries
studies have increase about three points attributed to evolution, therefore they look at the
environment.

Genetic Factor
According to Mensa (UK) Standford-Binnet, our genes do influence intelligence and IQ. Studies have
placed the genetic component at different levels ranging from thirty to eight percent, but it is agreed
that the level of genetic increases with age, at least from childhood through to early adulthood.
Early literacy
Children that learning to read and write is critical to a child’s success in school and later in life.t they
can be exposed to early literacy through various pre-reading and writing activates. Parents or
caretakers can read a book to the children, and they may play variety of media and begin to be
showing interest in picture, letters, and numbers.
Conclusion
Cognitive development is the prosses whereby a child’s understanding of the world changes as a
function of age and experiences. Piaget believes that gaining knowledge is an active process. He
strongly believes that development is a continues change and adaptation to environment. While
children gaining knowledge, they try to maintain a balance between the previous knowledge and
gained new knowledge. Here we can see how children with high intelligence started their early age
with speech or language, some of them can say a word earlier than their age, then from there they
started to read, and remember things very fast. The main factors that influence cognitive development
are genetic and environment. According to Piaget there four factors affect cognitive development,
they are biological maturation, activity, social experiences, and equilibration. Meanwhile according to
Vygotsky children intellectual development was closely related to their culture. Cognitive was
affected by the beliefs, value and other intellectual that passed on through culture. Overall to develop
the intelligence towards the child, we can expose them to early literacy through virous pre-reading
and writing activities and mathematics too. Children that exposure early will fast to develop their
cognitive intelligence development.

(638 words)
References
Mook Soon Sang & Lee Shok Mee 1986
Lakoff & Johnson 1999
Bloom 1998: (Lakoff & Johnson)
BCC News 16th August 2018
New York Post 26th May 2021
Piaget, J. (1936. 1963) The Origins of Intelligence in Children. New York: W.W Norton & Compang.
Inc-
Bain Sk, Allin JDC (20050 Book review: Standford-binet intelligence scale, (5 th edn). Journal of
Psycho Educational Assessment 23: 87-95.
Piaget, 1963, pp. 3-4
Sternberg & Kaufman,2011
Question 2.
2.1.1
Introduction
Everyone knows who Jean Piaget is. He is a Swiss psychologist and genetic epistemologist,
he also famously known for his theory of cognitive development. Jean Piaget’s theory
suggests that children move through four different stages of mental development. Which is
his theory not only focuses on understanding how children acquire knowledge, but also
understanding the nature of intelligence. Here also Piaget suggested teacher’ role involved
providing appropriate learning experience and materials that stimulate students to advance
their thinking.
Here we will discuss more about the criticism of Jean Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive
Development in children. Even though many people influence by his theory but still have
some researcher not agree with his theory.
2.1.2
Underestimate of children’s intellectual abilities.
According to (Wood 2008), Piaget’s underestimate children’s abilities. In 1960’s and 1970’s,
researchers found shortcoming in Piaget theory, which is there were an argument that
Piaget’s describe task with confusing and abstract terms and using difficult task for children.
Wood says that young children are capable and can succeed on simple form of task requiring
the same skills.
Teaching children developmentally advanced concepts would be unsuccessful. Reacher’s
belief that children may be more competent that Piaget gave them credit form, especially in
their practical knowledge.
Overlooking cultural effects.
(Edward. Hop Good, Rosenberg &Push 2000), Piaget’s overlooked the effects of students
cultural and social group. His theory does not represent of western society and cultural (the
stage development). According to the researcher scientific thinking and formal operation are
presumed worthy levels to be reach by children. However, in other cultural they may be a
much higher regards for the basic level of concrete operations.
Here we can see why Vygotsky have a theory of Sociocultural. With this theory we more
understand the influenced of cultural values and demands on cognitive skills. He was
criticised for ignoring biological contribution to children cognitive. This was the reason why
Vygotsky overemphasises the adult in their mediating or scaffolding role.
Unscientific method.
Edward et al. (2000) work is characterized by lack of controls, small samples, and absence of
statistical analysis in his research. Most of the criticism is from Empiricism & Logical
positivism which extremely popular at the time. However, Piaget was a structuralist, and his
scientific orientation was very different from traditional researcher being done at that time in
America. According to Edward, observing children in specific situation is unreasonable, he
believed that small samples of children and the method he used were adequate if the children
able to identify the structure, and it common to all individuals.
Gardner’s theory also been using for cognitive development, which is his work has been
particularly useful in helping us understand and nature the children’s special talents (Gardner
& Hatch, 1989). Jerome Bruner, like Vygotsky, Bruner believes that children’s involvement
with more knowledgeable adults is a key to the learning process. Bruner reject the idea of
“readiness” for different learning and development challenges.
Strength
Even though mana criticism on Piaget theory but still many people or researchers, agree with
his theory’s. That his basic theory not very damaging. There has been various substantiated to
suggest that the stage of development is approximate rather than absolute. This the point that
Piaget himself always maintained. An examination of Piaget theory shows hid theory is
remarkably consistent and comprehensive. They also suggest that Piaget system may not
reflect the fact accurately. His theory has been influential, impacting psychology and
education over the years while also being controversial. He is largely responsible for helping
teacher, parents, and childcare workers to become fascinated observers of children’s
development (Lefrancos, 2006).
Conclusion
Might be Piaget have a lot of criticism, and many people also using his theory too. No doubt
that Piaget theory also been using in many kindergartens, school even parents, which is until
now we are using his theory to help and understand different children. In conclusion we have
the right to disagree or to agree with this theory, and we can implement his theory and see
either its suitable for the children or not, also we can see if the effective for us to help the
children’s. Different children different approach we can use so many theories that suitable for
the children, and if Piaget theory is the best way, then we can used it if not we still have many
ways to try and used it.
(726 words)
Question 2.2

Introduction

Cognitive development means how children think, explore and figure things out. According
to (Sternberg & Kaufman 2011) intelligence is mostly hereditary; a child is strongly
influenced by other externa factors. Different types of intelligent may be influenced by
different skills, talents, or abilities. Objective for this assignment is for me to examine
strategies that can be used to enhance children’s cognitive development. As a mother of one
boy, I find many strategies I used to develop his inner skills, so he can develop it as he grows
up.
2.2.1
Sing-along.
Sing a long activity is very good for toddler everyday activities, here we can play a song any
song to play and let them hear it for the first time. For second round we can play the same
song and this time let the children to sing along. Here we can develop their speech, every
vowel and words helping them to speech development. We can do this everyday and play a
song that the children like the most, so they will be more active and follow the activity,
because we use their favourite song. According to Gardner (Music Smart or Sound Smart)
theory children will learn the rhythm and music and at the same time they will learn to catch
the words from the music.
Practices the alphabet.
These activities we can help the children for recognizing alphabet. We can play by identify
letters by singing to “Alphabet Song”, we can read book about alphabet, alphabet puzzle or
doing alphabet art. Here we can do many activities so the children can practice the alphabet.
We can play finding the alphabet, stick the alphabet on the wall and then ask the children to
find the letter p. Then can ask the children to put the alphabet in order from a to z. This
activity is good for their brain development and make them fast recognizing alphabet.
Practice counting.
Identifying number. This to develop a child (Math Smart or Logic Smart) with practicing
counting we can see if a child that fast in Mathematic. From this activity we can do singing
numbers song, counting an object, count their fingers. Here the auditory cortex (right ear) in
the brain will active the mathematical calculation. Children that good in numbers will fast to
develop and recognize the numbers with the help of activities that the teacher or parents give
to them.
Ask question
To develop a child speech, we need to communicate with them all the time with proper words
not baby talk. And to make them able to understand more, we need to ask question to them.
Asking a question will boost the children confidence to talk and answer. If we always asking
a question to them, they will not shy to share their thought. This also will build their
confidence and develop their speech and communication too.
Offer choices
To make a children brain develop stronger and working more, we must offer a choice any
situation. If we always give and never let them to think what they want to do or what they
want to wear, we will make them no choice and must follow our decision. Children that able
to make a choice will more likely independent and know they self. It because they can make a
choice, if they choose a bad one by next time, they will learn to be more careful in choosing
something, because they learn from their mistake. This will make their brain more active to
think rather than spoon feeding the children. The more we say no to a child the more they
curiosity want to do it. So, for them to able to understand we let them do it and after that they
will know why they can do it. For example, if we say u better walk don’t jump because you
will get hurt, better we make them choose either to walk or on the floor. If they choose to
jump and they fall then, next time they will know that place not good for jumping and only
can walk.
Conclusion
To enhance children’s cognitive development, we can do a lot of activities. Above I already
give some of the strategies how we can develop children cognitive. Each of children have
different attitude, ways and different up bringing, so to find the right strategies we need
explore more what strategies that suitable for the children. Children have they own gifted and
any input that we give to them will make their grown become more better understanding of
their own self. Like what Jean Piaget said, every child is unique and we as a grown-up people
will make sure they will become the best of their self.
(785 words)
Reference
Loehr Jamie, M.D. and Jen Mayers “Activities to Enhance Cognitive Development 18-24
months” . parents.Web.21 May 2014

http://ww.childtime.com/parent-resource/parenting-articles/promoting-healthy-cognitive -
develipment-in-your-child/.

http://oenfieldbuildingblocks.org/2013/12/promoting-cognitive-development-through-play/
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