Childhood cognitive development describes the way that small children's ability to think, reason and learn develops from birth to adulthood, in particular the early years. Many studies of models of human reasoning focus on adults, but there are often substantial differences of kind not just level in childhood. Each person develops differently and at a different pace, but general patterns have been studied. In particular, Piaget's work, which was based on studies of his own children and those in an oprphanage, proposed a linear developent of different cignitive abilities, that proceeds at different paces, but is the same for all children. While Piaget's work is still seminal, the details are challenged and there are now more nuanced views of development.
Used on page 536