,HED2601 Assignment 2 (COMPLETE ANSWERS) 2025 -
DUE April 2025; 100% correct solutions and explanations.
QUESTION 1: (25) Name the THREE (3) prominent theorists
whose approaches to learning have had a profound impact on
Early Childhood Education (ECE). In ONE OR TWO (2)
sentences, summarise the theory or focus of each of the three
theorists that you named in
1.1. Identify ONE (1) principle from Montessori’s approach to
learning Briefly explain how it supports child development
Provide a brief example of how you would apply this principle
in your teaching Draw a table with two columns comparing
Piaget’s and Vygotsky’s views on how children learn. The
comparison must show TWO (2) differences and TWO (2)
similarities. (8) Piaget Vygotsky 1.5 Substantiate the
importance of this module (HED2601) in your training as a
teacher. (3)
QUESTION 1: (25 Marks)
1.1 Three Prominent Theorists in Early Childhood
Education (ECE):
1. Jean Piaget – Piaget’s theory of cognitive development
suggests that children learn through active exploration and
progress through four stages of development (sensorimotor,
preoperational, concrete operational, and formal
operational). His constructivist approach emphasizes
hands-on learning.
, 2. Lev Vygotsky – Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory
emphasizes the role of social interaction and language in
cognitive development. He introduced concepts such as the
Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) and scaffolding,
highlighting the importance of guided learning.
3. Maria Montessori – Montessori’s approach focuses on
self-directed, hands-on learning in a prepared environment.
She emphasized independence, sensory exploration, and
mixed-age groupings to foster holistic development.
1.2 Principle from Montessori’s Approach & Application:
Principle: "Prepared Environment"
The prepared environment provides a structured space with
materials that encourage independent learning and
exploration, fostering cognitive and motor development.
Example: In a classroom, I would arrange learning
materials (e.g., puzzles, sensory bins) at child-accessible
levels, allowing children to explore and engage with them
freely, promoting autonomy and decision-making.
1.3 Comparison Table: Piaget vs. Vygotsky
Piaget Vygotsky
Children learn through active Children learn through social
exploration and individual interactions and guidance from
discovery. others.
Cognitive development Cognitive development is
occurs in stages (fixed continuous and shaped by
sequence). cultural and social influences.
Similarities: Similarities:
DUE April 2025; 100% correct solutions and explanations.
QUESTION 1: (25) Name the THREE (3) prominent theorists
whose approaches to learning have had a profound impact on
Early Childhood Education (ECE). In ONE OR TWO (2)
sentences, summarise the theory or focus of each of the three
theorists that you named in
1.1. Identify ONE (1) principle from Montessori’s approach to
learning Briefly explain how it supports child development
Provide a brief example of how you would apply this principle
in your teaching Draw a table with two columns comparing
Piaget’s and Vygotsky’s views on how children learn. The
comparison must show TWO (2) differences and TWO (2)
similarities. (8) Piaget Vygotsky 1.5 Substantiate the
importance of this module (HED2601) in your training as a
teacher. (3)
QUESTION 1: (25 Marks)
1.1 Three Prominent Theorists in Early Childhood
Education (ECE):
1. Jean Piaget – Piaget’s theory of cognitive development
suggests that children learn through active exploration and
progress through four stages of development (sensorimotor,
preoperational, concrete operational, and formal
operational). His constructivist approach emphasizes
hands-on learning.
, 2. Lev Vygotsky – Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory
emphasizes the role of social interaction and language in
cognitive development. He introduced concepts such as the
Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) and scaffolding,
highlighting the importance of guided learning.
3. Maria Montessori – Montessori’s approach focuses on
self-directed, hands-on learning in a prepared environment.
She emphasized independence, sensory exploration, and
mixed-age groupings to foster holistic development.
1.2 Principle from Montessori’s Approach & Application:
Principle: "Prepared Environment"
The prepared environment provides a structured space with
materials that encourage independent learning and
exploration, fostering cognitive and motor development.
Example: In a classroom, I would arrange learning
materials (e.g., puzzles, sensory bins) at child-accessible
levels, allowing children to explore and engage with them
freely, promoting autonomy and decision-making.
1.3 Comparison Table: Piaget vs. Vygotsky
Piaget Vygotsky
Children learn through active Children learn through social
exploration and individual interactions and guidance from
discovery. others.
Cognitive development Cognitive development is
occurs in stages (fixed continuous and shaped by
sequence). cultural and social influences.
Similarities: Similarities:
