What is a significant characteristic of cognitive development?

Cognitive development is primarily concerned with the processes associated with thinking, reasoning, learning, and problem-solving. This aspect of development involves how individuals understand the world around them, interpret information, and make decisions based on their knowledge and experiences.

The development of reasoning and problem-solving skills is a core component of cognitive development because it signifies the growth in a person's ability to think logically and apply knowledge to different situations. This encompasses not only basic skills, such as recognizing patterns and remembering facts, but also higher-order thinking processes, like critical thinking and the ability to evaluate and synthesize information.

In contrast, physical growth pertains more to the biological and physiological changes of the body, which is not a defining factor of cognitive development. Understanding social norms relates to social and emotional growth as individuals learn to navigate interpersonal relationships and societal expectations. Emotional maturity, while also important in human development, is more about awareness and regulation of feelings than about cognitive processes specifically. Thus, the focus on reasoning and problem-solving skills encapsulates the essence of cognitive development effectively.