Cognitive Development

Cognitive Development
Students cognitive skills are experiencing qualitative changes. Students are developing the ability to think abstractly, systematically, hypothetically, and deductively. Attention, reasoning, decision-making, and other aspects of thinking.
During the middle school years, students cognitive skills are experiencing qualitative changes. Students are developing the skills to think abstractly, systematically, hypothetically & deductively. *Students are experiencing deepening social relationships as they form, and experiment with, personal identity and preferences in dress and appearance. *Students are concerned with fitting in. *Adolescents begin to see themselves as having certain characteristics (popular, sporty, different), based on their previous performance and behavior. What Should Teachers Know? 1. Be conscious of how you are reinforcing a students negative selfimage. 2. Communicate how much you like your students as human beings, even when you express disapproval of their choices. 3. Seize opportunities to help children see themselves as capable and successful in school.

Vocabulary
Terms to know when working with Middle School children
Abstract Reasoning: Process of reaching conclusions through the use of symbols or generalizations Personal Identity: The distinct personality of an individual Egocentricity: Concerned only with ones self Self Concept: a multidimensional construct that refers to an individual's perception of "self" in relation to any number of characteristics