Cognition is one of the five central domains of the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF). Resources here address the skills children use to understand and organize their world: reasoning, memory, problem-solving, and thinking skills. For preschoolers, cognition expands to include mathematical development and scientific reasoning.
Other ELOF domains include Approaches to Learning; Social and Emotional Development; Language and Literacy; and Perceptual, Motor, and Physical Development.
Messy play is the active exploration of materials like water and paper. It offers rich learning experiences for infants and toddlers. Listen to this podcast for strategies to make this activity fun and manageable.
Messy play is the open-ended exploration of materials and their properties. Learn ways to manage the mess as children learn foundational cognitive principles and exercise motor, language, and social skills.