A Study on Cognitive Development: Exploring Jean Piaget's Theory - Research Paper

Introduction

Jean Piaget was a psychologist constructivist who based the understanding of child development on the theory of cognitive development. Piaget argued that only education could save society from the collapse as he suggested that youth and children can think scientifically and logically gradually (Piaget and Jean 15). Various studies have incorporated the theory of cognitive development to measure why children in different stages various in their behavior, especially on the learning process (Lind and Georg 30).

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Piaget argued based on the stages of cognitive development, which are categorized into the sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete, and formal operational stage. During the sensorimotor stage that is from birth until age two, the kid experiences the world via their senses and movement where they are egocentric. In the preoperational, the kid learns how to talk but cannot mentally differentiate the information since they don't comprehend concrete logic. This stage is divided into the symbolic function where the kid uses symbols to portray the physical models of the universe around them and intuitive thought which happens between four to seven years (Piaget and Jean 15). At this stage, children are curious and began asking many questions since they use primitive reasoning. Besides, in the concrete stage, kids are not egocentric because they can logically think while in the formal operational stage ranging from eleven years to sixteen, children can quickly think or reason and make their own decision. However, various scholars criticized the Piaget theory because it did not provide a clear description of the child development process since it consisted of a cycle.

Impacts of the Jean Piaget Theory on Child Development in the World Today

Every individual should support a child to develop both physically, mentally, emotionally, and language to become productive in society. Based on Piaget's theory, that is cognitive development; it has impacted curriculum development, evaluation, and planning in schools. Every teacher handles learners differently based on their ages and capabilities. For instance, a class two pupil who is late in school cannot be given the same corrective measures with a class six learner. Hence the instructional and curriculum manager ensures that the interest and needs of pupils in varying abilities and ages are found within the institution Since the psychomotor, and cognitive level reflect the various stages of learner's growth (Saxe and Geoffrey 18).

Besides, the Piaget theory teach nursery teachers on how to guide pupils using objects in the classroom to boost their learning process. The cognitive development theory argues that the kid in the nursery class needs to grasp the conservation principle before understanding the concept in number. To make the children understand the calculation, the teacher should teach them by demonstrating the tangible objects, for example, to add either four banana to six oranges. Also, the theory argues that nursery kids learn best when they are taught in the form of songs. Hence the nursery teachers need to encourage children imagination and inventiveness using either painting, storytelling, and play.

Finally, Piaget theory enables teachers and parents to understand that the development stages are vital for every child. For instance, Piaget argues that when the kid reaches 11 to 15 years, he/she is conversant with the socialized speech thus can communicate with others and create friends. Therefore, teachers who are instructional manager need to understand why the kid reason and to think as they do and assist them in mastering intellectually at their age. Children in different ages vary in capacity particularly, in comprehending and attention, for example, a class one pupil may lack the ability to maintain double lessons in the classroom as compared to a class seven learner. Hence the theory mandates the teachers to ensure studying curriculum developers consider the stages of the pupils for the smooth learning process.

Works Cited

Piaget, Jean. "Piaget's theory." Piaget and his school. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, 2012. 11-23.

Lind, Georg. "The theory of moral-cognitive development a socio-psychological assessment." Moral Judgments and Social Education. Routledge, 2017. 25-48.

Saxe, Geoffrey B. Culture and cognitive development: Studies in mathematical understanding. Psychology Press, 2015. 14-21