One of the most important aspects of child development is the development of cognitive skills in a child over time. Parents need to understand what they can do to encourage cognitive development in their children. They also need to know what types of scenarios can inhibit cognitive development.

The following are six mistakes to avoid at home that can slow down the cognitive development of your child. 

Engage with your child's education at home

Your child's education shouldn't be occurring only at pre-school or elementary school. You should anticipate your child's enrollment in school by teaching your child some basics at home like numbers and letters. Practice activities like counting and identifying shapes and colors with your child when you're at home. 

Talk to and communicate with your child

Perhaps the best thing that you can do to encourage cognitive development in your child is to simply talk to your child. Even if they are not talking yet, children benefit from hearing their parents' voices and vocal communication. 

Read to your child

Reading skills are very important during early education. Even before children have been taught to read in school, parents should read with their children so that they begin to acquire an understanding of the alphabet and an ability to follow a storyline. 

Give your child opportunities to be creative

Children can develop better cognitively if they are given opportunities to be artistic and creative. Engage in arts and crafts activities with your child to encourage creativity.

It is also important to ask children about their favorite activities and provide ample opportunities for them to participate in these activities. This will help them stay motivated and encouraged when it comes to learning cognitive skills. 

Ask your child questions

Simply communicating with your child verbally isn't enough. You also need to be asking your child questions regularly to encourage reflection and the development of analytical skills. 

Take your child to explore new places

Both traveling with children and bringing them to new places are important for cognitive development. When visiting a new place, your child will benefit from the experience. Make sure you're not spending too much time at home with your child but that, instead, you are taking your child on educational excursions. 

For information on child development and how you can best help your child grow and develop cognitively, consult with your pediatrician or a pediatric health clinic in your area.