Educational Theorists
[CYP3.1 – 2.3]
THEORIES OF DEVELOPMENT
JEAN PIAGET (1896-1980)
COGNITIVE/CONSTRUCTIVIST
Jean Piaget was a Swiss Zoologist who is widely recognized as having influenced the way young children are taught. Piaget’s theory is based on the idea that the developing child builds concepts for understanding by responding to physical experiences within his or her environment. Piaget further believed that a child’s cognitive ability increased in sophistication with development because learning is based on experiences they build up as they become older. He believed that children’s learning followed logical patterns based on their own experiences. He called these patterns “schemas” and believed that children were able to adapt their schemas as they gained new experiences.
Piaget’s theory identifies four stages based on their biological development. The four stages are: * Sensory-motor - occurring at 0-2 years, (putting together first schemas on such things as how to gain attention and interact with toys) * Pre operational – occurring at 2-6 years, (extending their interaction with the world around them but becoming egocentric and unable to see others’ point of view). * Operational – occurring at 5-12 years, (can see others’ point of view, can reason more easily, use trial and error approach to problem solving, able to categorize information). * Formal operational – occurring at 12 years +, (able to manipulate ideas in their head, are more logical and methodical and no longer using trial and error approach).
Piaget’s theory has had considerable influence in the way that we work with children. It has taught us that children should be free to explore, manipulate and experiment and that teaching staff should create the conditions in which learning may best take place. For example, nursery school classrooms should provide children with play materials that encourage learning such as climbing frames to give spatial awareness, material such as building
THEORIES OF DEVELOPMENT
JEAN PIAGET (1896-1980)
COGNITIVE/CONSTRUCTIVIST
Jean Piaget was a Swiss Zoologist who is widely recognized as having influenced the way young children are taught. Piaget’s theory is based on the idea that the developing child builds concepts for understanding by responding to physical experiences within his or her environment. Piaget further believed that a child’s cognitive ability increased in sophistication with development because learning is based on experiences they build up as they become older. He believed that children’s learning followed logical patterns based on their own experiences. He called these patterns “schemas” and believed that children were able to adapt their schemas as they gained new experiences.
Piaget’s theory identifies four stages based on their biological development. The four stages are: * Sensory-motor - occurring at 0-2 years, (putting together first schemas on such things as how to gain attention and interact with toys) * Pre operational – occurring at 2-6 years, (extending their interaction with the world around them but becoming egocentric and unable to see others’ point of view). * Operational – occurring at 5-12 years, (can see others’ point of view, can reason more easily, use trial and error approach to problem solving, able to categorize information). * Formal operational – occurring at 12 years +, (able to manipulate ideas in their head, are more logical and methodical and no longer using trial and error approach).
Piaget’s theory has had considerable influence in the way that we work with children. It has taught us that children should be free to explore, manipulate and experiment and that teaching staff should create the conditions in which learning may best take place. For example, nursery school classrooms should provide children with play materials that encourage learning such as climbing frames to give spatial awareness, material such as building