Competency, Focus of Development, and Key Features QPCP p. 18

Description of the area of development

"Cognitive development refers to the development of knowledge, attitudes, skills, and behaviours that allow children to think in a more complex way and acquire strategies. Children from age 4 to 6 begin to transition from perceptive reasoning to logical reasoning, which changes their view of the world. Children develop strategies that include the actions, tools and practices they need to feel engaged, motivated and confident in a given task or situation." QPCP p. 48

Connections to Executive Functions

• Inhibition: adjust to the demands of the environment (delays, routines, transitions); suppress the spontaneous gestures
• Flexible thinking: gradually learn to change their opinions, consider opinions of others and propose different ideas or solutions to problems
• Working memory: make connections between what they know, discover and learn, and reinvest their learning in different contexts
• Planning: predic and take the steps required to achieve a goal

Characteristics and Needs of Children QPCP p.49

End-of-preschool outcomes 

"The children show interest, curiosity and a desire to learn. They apply their knowledge and use their reasoning to ask questions, explain, make connections and attempt to understand the world around them. They use their imagination when they play. They are able to set an intention, to work toward it and adjust it to achieve a goal. They can discuss their processes, strategies, learning and accomplishments." QPCP p.48