Growing Through Play: Cognitive Development

Play is often described as the “work of childhood” — and nowhere is that more true than when it comes to cognitive development.

When children play, they’re not just passing time or entertaining themselves — they’re laying the mental groundwork for learning, problem-solving, language, and focus.

In this blog, we’ll explore how play supports your child’s cognitive development, what kinds of toys and activities are most beneficial, and how to encourage brain-building play at every age — all with a few handpicked favourites from Playfaire.co.uk.

Cognitive development refers to how children think, learn, and process information. It includes skills like:

• Memory

• Problem-solving

• Concentration

• Imagination

• Language and communication

These skills are essential for everyday learning, from understanding cause and effect to mastering maths and reading later in school.

In early childhood, cognitive development happens rapidly — and play is one of the most powerful tools for strengthening these abilities.

Children learn best through active exploration. By touching, experimenting, and imagining, they make sense of their world and build important mental connections.

Here are a few ways play supports cognitive development:

Building a tower that doesn’t fall or figuring out how a puzzle piece fits in its slot challenges children to think critically and test solutions.

Games that involve repetition, sequencing, or storytelling help children strengthen their memory and attention spans.

Pretend play, reading aloud, and simple conversations during play all build vocabulary, sentence structure, and confidence in communication.

Toys that respond to actions (like pressing a button to make a sound) teach children that their actions have results — an essential cognitive skill.

Let’s break it down by age, with ideas and toy suggestions to match.

Even at this stage, babies are soaking in information and learning every day.

• Offer high-contrast toys to support visual development.

• Use soft rattles and activity mats to encourage reaching, grabbing, and reacting.

• Sing, read, and talk often — language exposure starts early.

Playfaire Pick:

🧸 Little Dutch - Activity Cubes, Each side offers a unique activity, engaging various textures, shapes, and captivating features to stimulate your baby's inquisitive mind. The cube is designed for easy handling and rotation, featuring a blooming mirror that encourages self-recognition. This toy provides limitless amusement while nurturing your child's sensory development.

Available in 4 different styles - There's one for everyone!

This is a prime stage for exploration, imitation, and learning through trial and error.

• Introduce stacking toys, shape sorters, and puzzles.

• Encourage pretend play with soft dolls or animal figures.

• Read books with simple stories and ask questions like “What do you think will happen next?”

Playfaire Pick:

🧩 Little Dutch Shape Sorters or Stacking Trains — ideal for matching, memory, and shape recognition. These gentle, pastel-toned puzzles support problem-solving while developing hand-eye coordination.

Imagination soars at this age, and attention spans start to lengthen.

• Use open-ended toys like magnetic tiles or blocks for creative construction.

• Encourage storytelling, pretend games, and basic board games.

• Foster independence through “helper” tasks or setting up their own play zones.

Playfaire Pick:

🧲 Connetix Magnetic Tiles — not only a creative dream, these help children experiment with symmetry, balance, and cause and effect — all essential cognitive skills that prepare them for STEM learning later on.

Creating a cognitively rich environment doesn’t require a pile of toys — it’s about meaningful interactions and open-ended experiences.

Try these ideas:

• Rotate toys every week to maintain curiosity and focus.

• Encourage open-ended questions during play: “What do you think happens next?” or “Can you build a house with three windows?”

• Use Storytime as an interactive experience — encourage your child to point, repeat words, or tell part of the story.

• Embrace slow play — unstructured time gives children the mental space to explore and imagine.

Parents sometimes worry that their child playing with the “same toy” over and over might signal boredom. But repetition is actually vital to cognitive development. When children repeat an activity, they’re testing theories, improving skills, and reinforcing memory.

That’s why toys like stacking rings, puzzles, and shape sorters remain favourites — they offer the perfect blend of comfort and challenge.

If you want to learn more about repetition in toys and when you should be rotating them, check out our blog on How to implement toy rotation

While encouraging learning and cognitive development is important, it’s equally essential not to over-structure or over-schedule play. Children learn best when they’re relaxed, curious, and in control of their own experience.

Let them lead — whether that’s building a rocket from blocks, making animal noises with a plush toy, or simply filling and dumping a box full of shapes.

Cognitive development may sound academic, but at its core, it’s simply about children thinking, imagining, and making sense of their world. Play is the most natural — and joyful — way to support this growth.

Through simple, meaningful activities and thoughtfully chosen toys, you’re giving your child the mental tools they’ll use for life. Whether they’re solving a puzzle, telling a story, or just stacking blocks with a smile, they’re growing — one playful moment at a time.

Discover More at Playfaire.co.uk

We believe in toys that spark curiosity and build confident thinkers. From puzzles to magnetic tiles and beautifully crafted plush toys, explore our range of child development toys today.