The term ‘development’ refers to qualitative changes in an individual such as a change in personality or other mental and emotional aspects. However, very often growth and development are used interchangeably. The process of development continues even after the individual has attained physical maturity (growth). The individual is continuously changing as he/she interacts with the environment.

Cognitive development:- Cognitive development refers to thinking, understanding, and concept formation.

• It involves cognitive processes such as knowing, thinking, remembering, recognizing, categorizing, imagining, reasoning, decision-making, and so forth.
• According to Piaget, children’s understanding of the world expands as they experience new ideas and challenges. Children construct their own knowledge through interaction with their surroundings. 

​​

• Piaget’s theory of cognitive development is a comprehensive theory about the nature and development of human intelligence. 
• Piaget’s idea is primarily known as a developmental stage theory. The theory deals with the nature of knowledge itself and how humans gradually come to acquire, construct, and use it. To Piaget, cognitive development was a progressive reorganization of mental processes resulting from biological maturation and environmental experience. It provides a rich and varied environment. 
• He believed that children construct an understanding of the world around them, experience discrepancies between what they already know and what they discover in their environment, then adjust their ideas accordingly.
• Moreover, Piaget claimed that cognitive development is at the centre of the human organism, and language is contingent on knowledge and understanding acquired through cognitive development.
• Piaget’s earlier work received the greatest attention. Many parents have been encouraged to provide a rich, supportive environment for their child’s natural propensity to grow and learn.

 Thus, it is concluded that cognitive development is supported by providing a rich and varied environment.