What does cognitive development means anyhow? This basically refers to the mental capacity of the baby to cope with his environment as he grows, in other words, all the brain activity taking place as the baby interacts with the environment. Here your wonderful bundle of joy is forming his personality.
Here, also enters the age old debate of what shapes our personality. Is it that it is our genetics? Or, is it the environment? It is said that we are born as blank slates and that it is our interaction with our environment that shapes us. There has long been the age old theory of nature versus nurture. Is it nature or nurture that contributes our personality? I do believe it is a contribution of both. Hence, remember that your baby needs to be cared for properly. It is not just about the physical but the cognitive and social too.You need to pass on the good values.
According to Jean Piaget a well known psychologist infancy is the sensory motor stage. Baby needs to be stimulated in a positive way. Learning will now take place via the mouth. Alarm bells should be going off as it means you have to be extra careful as baby will be reaching for everything to put into the mouth.
Reading i must say is an extremely important part in your baby's cognitive development at this time. Your baby needs to be stimulated. Show him some nice bright colored pictures and also reading is an extremely good activity to do with your baby. Talk to your baby. Well you might be thinking that you cannot do this, but, just talk about everything that you are doing and believe me your baby will enjoy this. The baby will enjoy hearing the sound of your voice. Take your time to know your baby. Baby care is not as hard as it looks, or sound, just take it one day at a time.