Hesperian Health Guides
Chapter 7: Thinking Skills
A child develops thinking skills by having many opportunities to play
with the people and objects around him. Any activity that helps a child
learn gives him new ways to think about the world. This chapter gives
some ideas for activities that can help a child develop thinking skills.
Most children who can see begin to learn thinking skills at about the
following ages:
 |
 |
| Between 6 and 9 months, a baby learns that objects still exist - even when he no longer sees, touches, hears or smells them. For example, if he drops a cup, he knows it has not disappeared but is now lying on the ground. | At about 9 months, a baby begins to copy what others do (imitation). |
 |
 |
| Between 9 and 12 months, a baby learns that he can make things happen. For example, he learns that if he hits a cup with a spoon, it makes noise. He also begins to solve simple problems. | At about 1 year, a baby can match 2 objects that are alike. Later, he will learn to sort and count objects. |
A child who cannot see well can also learn these skills. With some help, he will learn them only 3 to 6 months later than a child who can see.