What does cognitive development encompass?

Cognitive development primarily refers to the processes involved in acquiring knowledge, thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving. This includes a range of intellectual abilities such as memory, attention, comprehension, and the ability to process information effectively. It focuses on how children learn to interpret and interact with their environment through mental skills.

Intellectual abilities encompass not only the accumulation of knowledge but also the development of critical thinking and the capacity to understand complex concepts. Information processing relates to how individuals take in information, organize it, and use it to guide their thoughts and actions. Therefore, the answer that highlights intellectual abilities and information processing accurately captures the essence of cognitive development.

In contrast, options related to physical growth, social skills, and emotional responses refer to different areas of child development. While all these areas are vital to a child’s overall development, they fall outside the specific focus of cognitive development.