Growing up is a beautiful journey and full of discoveries. It is also a process of growing up with surprises. Psychologist Jean Piaget developed a theory that explains the development of children’s minds according to their age. He outlined four broad developmental areas describing how children’s cognition differs in various phases. Let us look at the stages together and understand how they integrate with the development process for the children learning on their own.
The foundations of Jean Piaget’s theory
Jean Piaget theory has completely changed the way of how children think and learn. Piaget, a Swiss psychologist, suggested that children’s minds are not miniature of the adult mind, but operates on a different principle altogether.
Key concepts of this theory include:
- Schemas: Conceptions of the world. Example, A child’s understanding that “all furry four-legged animals are dogs” is a schema.
- Assimilation: When receiving new information, a child tries to accommodate it into existing schemas. For example, when a child sees a cat for the first time and calls it a dog, he tries to fit the new information into the schema of a “dog.”
- Accommodation: The process of reflecting on the existing schemas and changing them because of the new knowledge. For example, after understanding that not all furry four-legged animals are called dogs, the child changes their schema to add a new category called “cats.”
- Equilibration: The conflict between the processes of assimilation and accommodation. For example, a child understands that all dogs bark. But then he sees a Basenji, a breed not known for barking, which causes confusion. After this, the child learns that not all dogs bark.
These are the ideas from which Piaget developed the course of developmental changes in the thinking patterns of children.
The four stages of cognitive development
The stages of cognitive development are central to Jean Piaget theory. Piaget proposed that all children progress through four distinct phases in a fixed order. Let’s explore what are the 4 stages of Piaget’s cognitive development:
- Sensorimotor Stage (Birth to 2 years): Babies are able-bodied and learn about things in their environment by touching and observing. They begin to understand that things are still present even when they are not visible (e.g., a toy that is still under a blanket).
- Preoperational Stage (2 to 7 years): Children have learnt to produce words and images to name objects. They tend to see things from their own point of view and may be unable to think rationally.
- Concrete Operational Stage (7 to 11 years): Children start to develop thinking based on natural and concrete things. They can categorise objects, and order things (such as arranging the sticks by size).
- Formal Operational Stage (11 years and older): Teens can think in abstractions and picture the consequences of the action. They can reason to overcome tough tasks, and think scientifically.
Implications of Piaget’s theory on education and parenting
Piaget’s theory of cognitive development significantly improves how we educate and raise children. By understanding the stages of cognitive development, we can:
- Provide age-appropriate learning experiences.
- Create realistic expectations as per children’s capabilities and talents.
- Promote exploration and experimentation.
- Support learning to guide children to the next level.
Children think differently at various stages, which are part of cognitive development. We have realised that kids learn optimally on their own if lessons are taught as per Jean Piaget theory. For instance, we employ concrete objects and practical activities when dealing with young children. We gradually introduce abstract concepts as they grow.
Supporting cognitive development at home
- Parents could apply Jean Piaget theory at home. Here are some suggestions on how to go about it:
- Give your child objects and games which are appropriate for their developmental age. You can also introduce toys and games that challenge their current thinking.
- Converse with your child in a way that creates questions requiring thinking abilities.
- Promote free play that supports development across all stages.
- It is essential that you bear with your child as they go through new ideas or a new task.
Remember that, according to Piaget’s theory of cognitive development stages, children are engaged learners. Encouraging them and creating an intellectual atmosphere will help them progress through the stages of cognitive development.
Conclusion
The Jean Piaget theory of cognitive development has revolutionised the way children think and learn. By knowing the stages of cognitive development, we can assist children in constructing their learning paths at home and at school.
At Centre Point School, we are determined to adopt such findings as useful tools in delivering education to children according to their intellectual capacity. We believe that by understanding the four stages of cognitive development, we can design better, more attractive, and developmentally appropriate educational activities.
