Learn: Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development

Welcome!Today we'll explore Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development. This theory explains how children's thinking develops as they grow. Let's break it down step by step!

What is Cognitive Development?It refers to how our thinking, problem-solving, and understanding evolve over time. Piaget suggested that children move through distinct stages as their brains mature and they learn from their environment.

Piaget's Four StagesPiaget identified four key stages of cognitive development: sensorimotor, pre-operational, concrete operational, and formal operational. Each stage represents a different way of thinking and understanding the world.

Key Terms in Piaget's TheoryPiaget introduced concepts like schemata (mental frameworks for organising information), assimilation (adding new information into existing frameworks), and accommodation (modifying frameworks to fit new information).

Equilibrium and LearningPiaget argued that children aim for equilibrium, a balance between assimilation and accommodation. When faced with new challenges, they adjust their thinking to restore balance.

Piaget & Inhelder (1956) - The Three Mountains TaskThis study tested children's ability to see from another person's perspective. It showed that younger children in the pre-operational stage struggle with tasks requiring egocentrism, while older children develop the ability to understand other viewpoints.

Strengths of Piaget's TheoryPiaget's theory helped us understand how children's thinking develops over time. It highlighted how learning is an active process and introduced influential concepts like schemata.

Weaknesses of Piaget's TheoryCritics argue that Piaget underestimated the role of social and cultural factors in development. Some researchers also believe that cognitive development might be more continuous than stage-like.

Review Time!Great work! You've learned about Piaget's stages, key terms, and the Three Mountains Task. Now let's test your understanding with a few questions.