Child Development Theorists Page 7

Cognitive Development Stages

Stage 1: Sensorimotor (0-2 years)

Stage 2: Preoperational (2-6 years)

The child uses symbols (words and pictures) to represent objects but does not reason logically.
Child can pretend and is very egocentric.

Stage 3: Concrete Operational (7-12 years)

The child can reason logically about concrete objects and events and classify objects.

Stage 4: Formal Operational (12 years – adult)

Major contributions of Piaget:

Children learn through actively exploring their environment through their senses of vision, hearing, and touch.
Until the time between the ages of 8-12 months of age the infant does not understand that objects exist even if they cannot be seen. You may observe this characteristic in infants who experience separation anxiety. When they are unable to see their parent they do not understand they will return.
Young children from 3 to 7 years of age may be egocentric which means they only see things from their point of view and do not understand that other people may have different ideas.
Teachers need to provide concrete, hands-on materials that enable young children to learn through exploration and active learning.
Children from 7 to 11 years of age are able to make rational judgments about concrete and observable events. Teachers need to provide opportunities to ask questions and have the children explain the information back.