COGNITIVE SKILLS

Cognitive Skills are the actions your brain performs to pay attention to, understand, process, and manipulate information. They are the foundation for learning and it is important to know that these skills can be targeted and significantly improved with instruction and practice. 

The following cognitive skills contribute substantially to academic success and a weakness in one area of cognition can negatively impact the process of learning in many areas.

Verbal Reasoning - The ability to process language and manipulate it to understand, synthesize, and apply information. 

Abstract Reasoning - The ability to process non-language-based information. A crucial skill for Math and Science.

Fluid Reasoning - The ability to detect underlying conceptual relationships and use this reasoning to identify and apply rules. Pattern recognition and problem-solving derive from this skill.

Memory - The ability to remember verbal and visual information in short-term or long-term periods of time.

Executive Functioning Skills - The ability to attend, focus, think flexibly, and keep information in the working memory so that it can be manipulated.

Processing Speed - The rate at which verbal, visual, or auditory information is processed.

Spatial Perception - The ability to process and manipulate objects in space. A critical skill for Art and Geometry.