Jean Piagets's Cognitive Development Theory

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Jean Piagets developed a theory known as the cognitive development theory. In this theory he explains how children are able to develop intellectually throughout childhood. He did not believe the idea that children were simply mini adults but instead believed that the way children think is very different to the way adults think. He suggested that cognitive development is a process that occurs when children actively construct their knowledge based on their experiences and interactions in their world moving through four different stages of mental development. These four stages are sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational and formal operational period. The sensorimotor stage is the first stage, this is for the ages of babies between birth …show more content…

Children from 2 years to 7 are most likely in this stage. In this stage children begin to start thinking more symbolical and learn how to use pictures to identify words. Children in this stage often struggle to see things from others point of view. And while they are much better at using language they still think about things in a concrete terms. The third stage is the concrete operational stage. Children from 7 years to 11 are most likely in this stage. In this stage children start to think logical about concrete events. They begin to understand basic concept of conservation. Their thinking becomes more logical and they start being less egocentric and begin to think about how other people might think and feel. The fourth and final stage is the formal operational stage typically for children between the ages of 12 and up. In this stage young adults start to become more capable of seeing multiple potential solutions to a problems and they also start to think more scientifically about the world around them. Having the ability to think about abstract ideas is an important stage of formal operational …show more content…

Educators need to understand the importance of fundamental concepts like permanence of objects. Educators are therefore able to respond by planning activities that are suitable for each child going through each developmental stage. Knowing what experiences are best for each developmental stage will help children get the best out of life. Educators need to provide not just one but a whole range experiences if they want to build a secure foundation for future learning. By giving children fun, hands on experiences they learn and practise new skills that they can they develop and become more complex over time. An example of this is by giving a young child building blocks, not only will he be having fun while creating his own structures but he will also learn problem solving skills, increase his imagination, measuring skills, developing solutions and reasoning skills, balance and spatial body awareness just to name a few. In conclusion I believe that children in all development stages base their world around what they learned so far. If the experience has been done before they are more likely to pick it up again and the child will maintain confidence and a sense of self stability. When the experience is altered the child will most likely lose equilibrium and will therefor alter their cognitive structure to make way for the new conditions. This way, the child

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