Cognitive growth during childhood is an amazing journey! Here are some key milestones I want to share:

1. Infancy (0-2 years):

   • Object permanence: When babies are about 8-12 months old, they begin to realize that things still exist, even when they can't see them. It’s like a little light bulb goes on in their minds!

2. Early Childhood (2-7 years):

   • Symbolic thinking: Around age 2, kids start to use symbols, like words and pretend play. It’s so fun to watch their imagination come alive!
   • Egocentrism: Young children often see the world only from their own point of view until they are about 4 or 5 years old.

3. Middle Childhood (7-11 years):

   • Concrete operations: By age 7, kids can think clearly about real events. They also learn that changing the shape of something, like pouring juice into a different cup, doesn’t change how much juice there is.

4. Adolescence (11+ years):

   • Abstract thinking: Teenagers begin to think about ideas that aren't concrete, like "what if" situations and moral questions. They start to look at things in a different way.

Each of these stages builds on the next, helping kids develop more complex thoughts!