What Is Piaget's Theory Of Cognitive Development In Children

Piaget

Theory Overview-

Piaget’s theory of cognitive development in children focuses on the stages and processes that demonstrate growth and eventually lead to adult reasoning. This theory implies that children will progress through the stages of cognitive development in the same particular order, however there will be differences in the rate each child progresses based on the environment and biological differences. Piaget described each stage with developmental norms with named processes (McLeod, 2015).

Aspect of Lifespan Development (Module Focus)- Cognitive and Language Development

Theory Components – Stages of Cognitive Development
• Sensorimotor
• Preoperational
• Concrete operational
• Formal operational
Adaptation Processes

Children begin in the sensorimotor stage from birth to two years of age. In the sensorimotor stage, children use mostly senses and simple actions to guide themselves, and begin to understand that they are separate from the people and the objects, which surround them. Most significantly in the sensorimotor stage is that the child cognizes that an object gone from sight, still exists, known as object permanence. As children progress to the preoperational stage from approximately ages 2-7 years, thinking becomes more symbolic. However, even as the children can express themselves in various forms, behaviors remain egocentric and most concepts are absolute. From the preoperational stage, the children transition to concrete operational stage from ages 7-11. In the concrete operational stage, children begin to think logically and are capable of reasoning within general concepts. Finally the child reaches formal operational stage at approximately age 11. At this stage, children are able to use abstract reasoning to use knowledge of a general topic and apply this to a specific circumstance (Cherry, 2017). Moreover, Piaget placed importance on the concepts of schema, assimilation, accommodation and equilibration in the cognitive development process. Schema are the past patterns or ‘index cards’ that advise the individual on how to react based on past experiences or innate knowledge (Wadsworth, 2004).

Public school administrators should make this information widely know to staff and the staff should be trained in collaboration and problem solving methods to be implemented in the classroom.

Self-Study: Personal Mechanisms of Change
Attending a school which allowed students to progress through grades, based on cognitive level, allowed me to develop through Piaget’s suggested stages at my own pace. Personally, I arrived at the concrete operational stage earlier than the proposed age of 7. I was allowed to interact with students that were on the same cognitive and behavioral level although our ages differed.

Self-Study: Reflection of Reaction to Theory–
According to Piaget’s theory, I am in the formal operational stage. In this stage, I am able to form and test hypotheses, think in abstract forms, and use deductive and logical reasoning. Each of these abilities is necessary to be a successful school administrator.

Self-Study: Application to Specific Part of the