Theories and exam style answers

Piaget believed that children pass through stages of development in a sequence. He stated that children may go through the sequence at different paces. There are 4 stages: Sensorimotor stage (0 - 2 years) - This is the first stage of Piaget’s theory. He suggested that children learn by using their senses and through actions. Children learn that objects still exist even when out of sight (object permanence) Pre-operational stage (2 - 7 years) - the child is unable to use logic to problem solve. Children are unable to see situations from the perspective of others. Piaget referred to this as egocentrism Concrete operational stage (7 - 11 years) - The child has learned to think logically if the concepts are familiar to them. Children can start to problem solve and often learn new logic through discovery learning. Formal operations (11+ years) - This is the final stage of Piaget’s theory. Children can now think abstractly, and can problem solve and reason using hypothetical thought.

Parent is with child and child is observed Parent and child are left alone with hidden camera Child explores the room without help from parent Stranger enters the room and speaks to parent then approaches child Parent leaves the room without child knowing Parent returns and comforts child Ainsworth looks at the child’s reaction of parent returning to work out the attachment style