Concept development in early childhood

Abstract

Concepts are defined as mental tools that enable the formation of basic cognitive structures in long-term memory and of the retention of new information in a meaningful way. Children, with the help of concepts, begin to evaluate the qualities of objects and form cognitive structures in order to adapt to the world surrounding them, starting from very early ages. The formation and the maturation of many cognitive structures occur through concept development in early childhood. However, our understanding of developmental mechanisms of conceptual development is incomplete. Within this context in this study, the concept development in early childhood is examined and suggestions were brought for parents and educators to support the concept development in children.