Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Michael Katsandonis
MAT 690
Cognitive Development
National University
COGNITIVE DEVLOPMENT 2
Abstract
involving cognitive development that will be discussed below. The theory encompasses four
stages of development and states that all children pass through all four stages of development.
After a brief dissection of the theory, first hand examples of Jean Piaget’s theory being applied
are presented. The functions and dynamics of the stages that have been experienced by the
The theory chosen for this assignment involves cognitive development as explained by
the stages of development provided by Jean Piaget. Jean Piaget was born in Switzerland and is
known as the “most influential development psychologist in the history of psychology” (Slavin,
2015, p. 30). According to Slavin, “Piaget divided the cognitive development of children and
adolescents into four stages: sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal
operational” (2015, p.32). The theory provides that all children pass certain stages in their life
although some may pass through some stages at different times than others (Slavin, 2015). The
example used to demonstrate Piaget’s theory in this assignment involves a focus on the
preoperational and concrete operational stages of development typically found between the ages
Theory Application
The examples provided involve the comparison of the development of two younger
siblings. The older sibling, a male, was according to many during the time, late in developing his
language skills. His ability to talk seemed to be lagging behind what his mother had seen through
the comparison of other boys his age. His mother had taken trips to the doctor, purchased
software programs, and even went as far as bringing in a speech therapist in order to help the
child advance his speaking abilities as fast as possible. His sister, on the other hand, who was
two years younger, was faster at learning and expressing language than many of her peers and
maintains a very diverse vocabulary when compared to her brother during the same time of
development. According to the theory, both siblings were going through an incredible rate of
COGNITIVE DEVLOPMENT 4
learning language and concepts although they had experienced them at different times (Slavin,
2015).
Currently, both siblings are entering the concrete operational stage that involves the ages
of children from seven to eleven years old as provided by the cognitive theory presented by
Piaget (Slavin, 2015). According to Slavin, “Although the differences between the mental
abilities of preoperational preschoolers and concrete operational elementary school students are
dramatic, concrete operational children still do not think like adults” (2015, p.34). Both siblings
have shown to have difficulty when questioned with abstract thought as expected during this
2015). When asked questions about abstract concepts, both siblings seem to either show
confusion or an overwhelmingly obvious lack of interest in the question itself. Both siblings fall
under the guidelines of the theory so far into their development although the rates at which they
When helped with their homework, both siblings have shown an improvement in
problems with conservation. In other words, when dealing with math problems that involve
equations using the same numbers, both siblings are able to understand the concepts of
reversibility (Slavin, 2015). For example, the older male sibling has had much practice with math
homework over the course of this school year and has been able to convey a healthy
understanding of concepts that at first seemed challenging. However, his hard work has led him
to understanding concepts that fit into the concrete operational stage while his sister is just
recently starting to grasp the concept of reversibility as she practices her math problems provided
by an adult.
COGNITIVE DEVLOPMENT 5
Conclusion
The ability to apply theory to everyday situations such as the examples provided above
has incredible advantages for educators. The understanding of the stages of development can
serve as a guideline for many who may share the same fears as the scared mother mentioned in
the first example. The application of these concepts is even more vital for the specialists who are
brought in to help and comfort parents who may have doubts about the healthy development of
their child. As educators, these theories will work as guidelines to assist in the challenges
presented in each stage of the development of a child and student (Slavin, 2015).
COGNITIVE DEVLOPMENT 6
References
Slavin, Robert. (2015). Educational Psychology: Theory and Practice (11th ed.). Upper Saddle