Cognitive learning is a different type of learning that provides children with the means of knowledge; the acquisition of knowledge and skill by mental or cognitive processes. For example, cognitive learning is creating mental representations of physical objects or events.

To understand the basics of cognitive learning, it is important to know that in this type of learning, the student or individual learns through experience like listening, watching, reading, experiencing, touching and more physical experiences. The student will then take that information and process it through remembrance to use in a future situation. Cognitive learning is often referred to as passive learning simply because it requires no motor movement. However, it is actually a very active type of learning in that the student processes and remembers the information mentally. 

The Importance of Cognitive Learning:

Cognitive learning is just as important to an individual's development as other types of learning. Cognitive learning is a type of learning that enables individuals to create and transmit a complex set of information including symbols, values, beliefs and norms. It is important to realize that cognitive learning and activity is involved in many daily activities and many aspects of human behaviors. Humans are not the only types of living creatures to learn via cognitive development. In fact, animals of all kinds also learn through cognitive learning. Because cognitive means "the act of knowing" or "knowledge, it is important to realize that cognition is what makes individuals develop the skills that are essential to learning. This includes instinctual abilities, survival instincts, responses and more. 

Cognitive Learning Skills:

To get the most out of your cognitive learning, there are several parts of the cognitive learning process that account for that cognitive experience. Concentration is one of the most important parts of cognitive learning. For example, paying attention to what you are about to learn or are learning is one of the best ways to ensure you properly absorb the knowledge you need to learn or experience. Without paying proper attention, you are likely to not get all of the facts to accurately learn what you need to learn. Focusing on the subject is the biggest part to learn when it comes to concentration. For some this might be difficult, but it is essential to learning what you need to know.

Perception is also important when it comes to cognitive learning. Perception must take place during the course of cognitive learning so that the individual becomes aware of the subject in order to learn about it. Perception also goes along with interpretation. It is important to be able to accurately perceive what you are witnessing in order to interpret correctly to absorb the knowledge of the subject.

Memory is another essential portion of cognitive learning. It is one thing to concentrate on a subject, perceive it correctly, but you also have to be able to remember what you saw, touched, experienced. There are different types of memory including long-term, short-term, sequential and receptive memory. Depending on the type of cognitive learning experience, at least one of these four types of memory should come into play to remember the experience for future reference. Although memory is considered to be a prerequisite skill to successful cognitive learning, there are some who with learning disabilities and problems with memory and retention are still able to improve memory skills or learning skills in spite of these disabilities. 

Lastly, logical thinking must be used to accurately absorb information via cognitive learning. Logical thinking is not intuitive for everyone, which is why it is considered to be a learned mental process of ensuring that chains of reasoning make sense to the individual. If they are unrealistic or simply do not add up, this needs to be recognized. Learning about logical thinking is how many individuals are able to learn about certain subjects and information through cognitive learning. Logical thinking allows the individual to prove that the answer is yes, no, too easy, not clear enough to understand and eventually arrive at a solution. Understanding the workings of cognitive learning is essential to being able to improve performance in skills like reading, spelling, handwriting and math. 

Sources:

library.thinkquest.org, audiblox2000.com/cognitiveskills.htm