Cognitive Skills Training
Cognitive Skills Training Pediatric Therapy at Koval Occupational
Cognitive skills training in pediatric therapy is a strategic approach aimed at reducing children’s disruptive behaviors by equipping them with new, constructive problem-solving skills. At Koval Occupational, we focus on the child, teaching them to independently manage thoughts and emotions and to interact positively with others by fostering new perspectives and solutions.
We understand that children who lack effective strategies to engage with their environment may exhibit challenging behaviors. By teaching positive problem-solving techniques and addressing dysfunctional thoughts, we aim to enhance overall functioning. Cognitive development in children is about building learning skills, including attention, memory, and thinking. These skills are essential for processing sensory information and are foundational for higher-level functions such as evaluation, analysis, comparison, and understanding causality.
Cognitive or thinking skills encompass a range of abilities, including:
- Attention: The ability to maintain focus on tasks or activities.
- Decision-Making: The process of making choices by identifying options and assessing the consequences.
- Memory: The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information.
- Problem-Solving: The process of finding solutions to difficult or complex issues.
- Safety Awareness: The recognition of potential hazards and the knowledge of how to avoid them.
Children may struggle with these skills due to developmental delays, brain injuries, or trauma. Occupational Therapists at Koval Occupational are adept at identifying cognitive difficulties and their impact on day-to-day abilities. Our therapists work to enhance these skills and offer strategies to aid in task completion, such as breaking down tasks into manageable steps.
Identifying Cognitive Development Delays
Recognizing the benchmarks of cognitive development can help determine if your child is at risk for delays. Milestones include:
- By 7 months: Engages with partially hidden objects and explores through touch and taste.
- By 12 months: Manipulates objects in various ways and locates hidden items effortlessly.
- By 18 months: Begins to imitate household activities.
- By 24 months: Assists in undressing and starts sorting objects by shape and color.
- By 3 years: Operates simple mechanical toys and engages in imaginative play.
- By 4 years: Identifies colors, understands basic concepts of time, and recognizes similarities and differences.
- By 5 years: Counts objects, comprehends everyday item usage, and develops reasoning skills.
- 6 years and beyond: Tackles more complex problems, showcases individual learning styles, and solves basic arithmetic with objects.
If you have any concerns regarding your child’s cognitive skills, Koval Occupational is here to offer assessments and therapy to support your child’s cognitive journey. Let us assist in unlocking your child’s full potential.