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Chapter 7: Thinking Skills

A child develops thinking skills by having many opportunities to play with the people and objects around him. Any activity that helps a child learn gives him new ways to think about the world. This chapter gives some ideas for activities that can help a child develop thinking skills. Most children who can see begin to learn thinking skills at about the following ages:

Between 6 and 9 months, a baby learns that objects still exist - even when he no longer sees, touches, hears or smells them. For example, if he drops a cup, he knows it has not disappeared but is now lying on the ground.

At about 9 months, a baby begins to copy what others do (imitation).

Between 9 and 12 months, a baby learns that he can make things happen. For example, he learns that if he hits a cup with a spoon, it makes noise. He also begins to solve simple problems.

At about 1 year, a baby can match 2 objects that are alike. Later, he will learn to sort and count objects.

A child who cannot see well can also learn these skills. With some help, he will learn them only 3 to 6 months later than a child who can see.

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