Which of the following is a key characteristic of cognitive development?

Cognitive development primarily revolves around the processes involved in acquiring knowledge, understanding concepts, reasoning, and problem-solving. This characteristic encompasses the mental skills and abilities that enable individuals to think, learn, remember, and effectively respond to their environment. As children grow, they engage in various cognitive tasks, such as categorizing information, making inferences, and solving complex problems, demonstrating their ability to handle abstract thinking and logical reasoning.

The other options reflect important areas of child development but are not central to cognitive development. Developing interpersonal skills relates more to social development, while learning to manage emotions is tied to emotional development. Fostering physical coordination falls under physical development. Each of these areas contribute to a child's overall growth but does not capture the essence of cognitive development as acquiring knowledge and problem-solving abilities does.