Final answer:
Ms. Johnson enhances students' cognitive development by activating their prior knowledge, aiding in connecting personal experiences with new concepts.
Step-by-step explanation:
By asking her students to think about their own characteristics, Ms. Johnson is promoting her students' cognitive development by helping them to activate prior knowledge as a basis for understanding new concepts. This practice engages students in critical thinking and reflection, which are essential components in learning. Through such activities, students are encouraged to connect their personal experiences and characteristics with the material being studied. This connection not only enhances learning but also motivates students by making the content more relevant to their lives.