The cognitive development of the child involves qualitative and quantitative changes in opinion that arise as a result of the interaction of heritage and the environment. In order to understand cognitive development, it is important to know the basic characteristics of the development and functioning of the nervous system. Areas of the brain that develop early later are difficult to change, so the role of adults in providing information that will be stored in the neocortex that develops later is important. The paper describes the theories of famous psychologists Jean Piaget, Lav Vigotski and Urie Bronfrenbrenner. Jean Piaget highlights changes in the cognitive development of the child that manifest themselves in the developmental stages while Lav Vigotski and Urie Bronfenbrenner attach importance to the interaction within the social contexts in which the child is located. The most important factors in stimulating the early cognitive development of the child are parents and educators. For children's cognitive progression, the characteristics of the family and the characteristics of the child himself are of great importance. The cognitive development of the child is influenced by genes, family integrity and socioeconomic status of the family. It is of great importance that parents have characteristics that will provide the child with an optimal and stimulating family environment. An extremely important factor is the professional competence of the educator, which greatly contributes to the cognitive development of the child.