Jean Piaget's Cognitive Theory

preoperational stage

in Piaget's theory, the stage (from about 2 to 6 or 7 years of age) understand symbols and make associations, they also have object permeance (look for objects that have been moved)

sensorimotor stage

in Piaget's theory, the stage (from birth to about 2 years of age) during which infants know they put most things in their mouth, they use the sucking reflex to nurse

formal operational stage

in Piaget's theory, the stage of cognitive development (normally beginning about age 12) during which people begin to think logically about abstract concepts

Define assimilation

new information to fit into schema (learn dog has 4 legs then they assume all 4 legged animals are a dog)

A deck of cards is placed in front of an 8 year old 3rd grader. What Piagetian stage is the child in? List what the child may do.

Concrete Operational, may know a few simple games with the cards like 'go fish.'

A 7 year old student recognizes that the amount of liquid in a short wide cup is equal to that in a tall skinny glass. What stage of Piaget's cognitive development is represented?

Concrete operational

A deck of cards is placed in front of an 14 year old 8th grader. What Piagetian stage is the child in? List what the child may do.

Formal Operational, they can play complicated card games that require strategy and elaborate thinking

A 15 year old student is placed in a career choice class and is considering becoming a teacher when they grow up. What stage of Piaget's cognitive development is represented?

Formal operational

Why should teachers use Piaget's theory in the classroom?

It allows teachers develop a better understanding of their students' thinking.

Define Piaget's Cognitive Development Theory

It is cognitive development in children It has 4 stages- each stage focuses on mental development in the child

A deck of cards is placed in front of an 6 year old 1st grader. What Piagetian stage is the child in? List what the child may do.

Pre operational Stage, may pretend to play a game of cards with someone or with themselves

A teacher models 2 lumps of clay that are the same size. 1 lump of clay is smashed flat. The 6 1/2 year old student is asked to pick the piece of clay that has more. The student picks the smashed piece. What stage of Piaget's cognitive development is represented?

Preoperational

A deck of cards is placed in front of a 1 year old toddler. What Piagetian stage is the child in? List what the child may do.

Sensorimotor, They would play, bend and place the cards in their mouths, touching and tasting

How is Piaget's theory used in the classroom?

Teachers can use and apply Piaget's notions of assimilation and accommodation when introducing new material.

Define schema

building blocks of learning

concrete operational stage

in Piaget's theory, the stage of cognitive development (from about 6 or 7 to 11 years of age) during which children gain the mental operations that enable them to think logically about concrete events

Define accommodation

the process of changing cognitive structures in order to accept something from the environment.