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Cognitive Development from Childhood through Adolescence
Brynne Nicholas
Southern New Hampshire University
PSY 322: Adolescent Development
Instructor Joseph Wilner
October 9, 2022
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Cognitive Development from Childhood through Adolescence
There are several developmental domains contributing to the developmental stages of
childhood through adolescence, perhaps one of the most important is that of cognitive
development. Referring to the process through which an individual observes, thinks, and
acquires an understanding of the world through the interaction and amalgamation of inherited
and learned variables, cognitive development "is the construction of thought processes including
remembering, decision making, and problem solving from childhood through adolescence to
adulthood" ( ). Cognitive development heavily impacts the social, Cognitive development, n.d.
physical, and cultural growth of children. How a child develops cognitively from childhood
through adolescence will play a significant role in how that child develops into emerging
adulthood. Cognitive growth or development is fostered by language; however, the level of
linguistic sophistication affects cognitive ability. Aiding in the development of cognitive abilities
is the ability to utilize language to effectively communicate with others (EIPA written test and
knowledge standards: Cognitive development). Due to the impact that a child’s cognitive
abilities will have on the child as he or she grows into adolescence, emerging adulthood, and
later into adulthood, childhood cognitive development is vitally important and serves as the
foundation upon which a child or adolescent will build upon.
A child’s biological makeup, environment, and approach to learning all influence
cognitive development and the way a child thinks is affected by his or her information base or
