Cognitive Development
Piaget's theory of cognitive development consists of four evident phases. The first is referred to as the sensorimotor stage. This stage typically occurs between birth and two years of age. During the sensorimotor stage children at first rely solely on the reflexes (sucking and rooting for example) that they were born with. Intelligence manifests itself through motor activities, for example children learn to crawl and walk during this stage. Most of the knowledge acquired during this stage is through physical activity. However, some language skills begin to emerge and the concept of object permanence is obtained during the sensorimotor period.
The second segment of Piaget's theory is called the preoperational stage. This takes place between the ages of two and seven. Throughout this stage children are egocentric. In other words they believe that everyone thinks exactly as they do. Children begin to use symbolism in relation to their world. Also, their use of oral language, memory, and imagination blossoms during this time.
The concrete operational stage is Piaget's third stage of cognitive development. Between the ages of seven and eleven children experience a dramatic change in the way they think. Thinking becomes less egocentric and more logical. Reversibility, the ability to perform a mental operation and then reverse one's thinking to return to the starting point, manifests itself prominently during this stage (Slavin, 2003, p.33).
The final step in the cognitive development theory of Piaget is identified as the formal operational stage. It has been ascertained that only about 35% of people ever achieve formal operational thought (Huitt & Hummel, 2003). This stage provides those who attain it with the ability to master abstract though and use symbols in relation. This affords the capacity to complete intricate problems in subjects such as Algebra. Hypothetical situations are also processed logically during this stage.
While Piaget's theory has four
The second segment of Piaget's theory is called the preoperational stage. This takes place between the ages of two and seven. Throughout this stage children are egocentric. In other words they believe that everyone thinks exactly as they do. Children begin to use symbolism in relation to their world. Also, their use of oral language, memory, and imagination blossoms during this time.
The concrete operational stage is Piaget's third stage of cognitive development. Between the ages of seven and eleven children experience a dramatic change in the way they think. Thinking becomes less egocentric and more logical. Reversibility, the ability to perform a mental operation and then reverse one's thinking to return to the starting point, manifests itself prominently during this stage (Slavin, 2003, p.33).
The final step in the cognitive development theory of Piaget is identified as the formal operational stage. It has been ascertained that only about 35% of people ever achieve formal operational thought (Huitt & Hummel, 2003). This stage provides those who attain it with the ability to master abstract though and use symbols in relation. This affords the capacity to complete intricate problems in subjects such as Algebra. Hypothetical situations are also processed logically during this stage.
While Piaget's theory has four