Promoting Cognitive Development

To create an environment that promotes the three types of cognitive knowledgeas well as learning about cause and effect, patterns, and problem solvingteachers should aim to:

Provide a wide variety of interesting and challenging materials and experiences for children.
Foster cognitive conflict by introducing discrepant events or information that motivate children to experiment and test their theories.
Document the way children solve problems to make their thinking visible, and provide opportunities for metacognition (thinking about their thinking).
Promote conversation about problem solving; social debate about ideas, theories, and inferences leads to powerful learning (Landry & Forman, 1999).

Physical Knowledge

Mathematics and science are subject areas that help children make connections between concrete materials and abstract concepts. The preschool classroom should have interest areas designated for mathematics materials and science/discovery investigations. The materials in these centers provide children with opportunities to develop the three kinds of cognitive knowledge. They acquire physical knowledge through handling and manipulating materials and making observations about their properties. Block play and sensory activities were discussed in detail in Chapter 7, and many of the materials listed in Chapter 8 that support fine motor development (manipulatives) are also used for mathematics.

Figure 10.2 displays examples of materials commonly used to support important mathematics concepts. Figure 10.3 displays examples of basic equipment for science explorations.

Figure 10.2: Part 1 Mathematics Materials

Most mathematics materials for young children foster the development of multiple concepts. But since concepts are typically developed in a predictable sequence, certain materials such as matching activities and counters are more appropriate for younger children than number tracing boards or base-ten cubes.