FULL NAMES:
STUDENT NUMBER:
UNIQUE NUMBER: 706427
MODULE CODE: BTE2601
MODULE NAME: BECOMING A TEACHER
ASSIGNMENT: 02
DUE DATE: 05 AUGUST 2023
, QUESTION 1
1.1 Jean Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development
Jean Piaget was a Swiss psychologist who made significant contributions to the field
of developmental psychology. He proposed a comprehensive theory of cognitive
development, which describes how children's thinking and understanding evolve as
they grow and interact with the world around them. Piaget's theory has had a
profound impact on education, psychology, and child development research. His
work is still influential today, despite some criticisms and revisions over the years.
Background and Key Concepts
Piaget's theory is constructivist in nature, meaning he believed that children actively
construct knowledge by interacting with their environment rather than passively
absorbing information. He saw children as curious and active learners who explore
and make sense of the world through their experiences. His theory emphasizes the
role of biological maturation, as well as the influence of social interactions and
cultural factors on cognitive development.
Stages of Cognitive Development
Piaget proposed four major stages of cognitive development, each characterized by
distinct cognitive abilities and ways of understanding the world. The stages are
sequential, meaning a child must pass through each stage in a fixed order.
a. Sensorimotor Stage (0 to 2 years): In the sensorimotor stage, infants learn
about the world through their senses and motor actions. They develop object
permanence, the understanding that objects continue to exist even when out of sight.
At first, they exhibit reflexive behaviors, but over time, these evolve into intentional
actions and simple problem-solving. During this stage, children also begin to grasp
cause-and-effect relationships.
b. Preoperational Stage (2 to 7 years): In the preoperational stage, children
become more proficient in using language and symbols to represent objects and
ideas. They engage in pretend play and develop an egocentric perspective, where
they struggle to see things from another person's point of view. While they can think
about the past and future, their thinking is limited by egocentrism and centration,
STUDENT NUMBER:
UNIQUE NUMBER: 706427
MODULE CODE: BTE2601
MODULE NAME: BECOMING A TEACHER
ASSIGNMENT: 02
DUE DATE: 05 AUGUST 2023
, QUESTION 1
1.1 Jean Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development
Jean Piaget was a Swiss psychologist who made significant contributions to the field
of developmental psychology. He proposed a comprehensive theory of cognitive
development, which describes how children's thinking and understanding evolve as
they grow and interact with the world around them. Piaget's theory has had a
profound impact on education, psychology, and child development research. His
work is still influential today, despite some criticisms and revisions over the years.
Background and Key Concepts
Piaget's theory is constructivist in nature, meaning he believed that children actively
construct knowledge by interacting with their environment rather than passively
absorbing information. He saw children as curious and active learners who explore
and make sense of the world through their experiences. His theory emphasizes the
role of biological maturation, as well as the influence of social interactions and
cultural factors on cognitive development.
Stages of Cognitive Development
Piaget proposed four major stages of cognitive development, each characterized by
distinct cognitive abilities and ways of understanding the world. The stages are
sequential, meaning a child must pass through each stage in a fixed order.
a. Sensorimotor Stage (0 to 2 years): In the sensorimotor stage, infants learn
about the world through their senses and motor actions. They develop object
permanence, the understanding that objects continue to exist even when out of sight.
At first, they exhibit reflexive behaviors, but over time, these evolve into intentional
actions and simple problem-solving. During this stage, children also begin to grasp
cause-and-effect relationships.
b. Preoperational Stage (2 to 7 years): In the preoperational stage, children
become more proficient in using language and symbols to represent objects and
ideas. They engage in pretend play and develop an egocentric perspective, where
they struggle to see things from another person's point of view. While they can think
about the past and future, their thinking is limited by egocentrism and centration,
