Jean PiagetCognitive Theory of Learning

Stages of Development

Stages

Sensorimotor

Preoperational

Concrete Operational

Formal Operational

Sensorimotor

0 -2 years of age

Blanket and ball study

Object permanence

Preoperational

2-7 years

Children are directed inward

Learn from concrete evidence (have to see it)

Only see world from their point of view

Cannot think in abstract terms

Preoperational

Make-believe play

Learn through imaginative play

Imitate real life situations

Also, explore areas of fright

Preoperational

Use of symbols

Learn that objects and words can be symbols

Stop sign means stop

The letter A represents the sound “aye”

Their name can be a bunch of letters

Words are letters with sound

Preoperational

Egocentric viewpoint

Think of world in terms of their own thoughts and feelings

Everything around them is for them

Everyone else feels like them

Animism: inanimate objects can have human feelings (toys, stuffed animals)

Preoperational

Limited Focus

Decisions are made from their perceptions

If there are two glasses of water and one is tall and thin it must have more water in it than the short fat one

If they come to know a particular item in a particular color or shape it must always be that shape/color

Concrete Operational

Conservation

Begins to use logic

Begins to see others points of view

Formal Operations

Manipulate ideas in head

Abstract thinking

Can imagine outcomes of actions

Equilibrium

Learning by experience

Assimilation

Equilibrium

New situation

Disequilibrium

Accommodation