Topic (1.2) Piaget’s stages of cognitive development and their role in education

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Introduction

By the end of this Topic, you should be able to:

Understand Piaget’s four stages of cognitive development (sensorimotor, pre-operational, concrete operational and formal operational), including strengths and weaknesses of this theory. Be familiar with the following terms: schemata/schema, assimilation, accommodation and equilibrium.

Consider the role of the stages of development in education and intelligence.

Each of Piaget’s stages is considered to be a stage in the development of intelligence and candidates can make this link when learning each one. Candidates may benefit from discussing and determining what they understand by the terms ‘education’ and ‘intelligence’ before they engage in the content.

Reading

Read pages 5-9 of the textbook.

Links

Use the following links to extend your understanding of Piaget’s stages of cognitive development:

EXPLORE - The Four Stages of Cognitive Development (verywell Mind)Links to an external site.

WATCH - A Collection of Clips Demonstrating Piaget’s Stages of Development (YouTube)Links to an external site.

MASSOLIT Resources

Login details for the MASSOLIT website can be found in General Resources.

Watch all 1 to 5 videos below from the Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development lecture series by Dr Richard O’Connor that can be found on the MASSOLIT website:

WATCH - Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development: Key Concepts (MASSOLIT)Links to an external site.

WATCH - Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development: The Sensorimotor Stage (MASSOLIT)Links to an external site.

WATCH - Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development: The Pre-operational Stage (MASSOLIT)Links to an external site.

WATCH - Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development: Concrete and Formal Operations (MASSOLIT)Links to an external site.

WATCH - Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development: Influence on Later Research (MASSOLIT)

Download

Intelligence is hereditary:

Bouchard T. J., & McGue M. (1981) Familial studies of intelligence: a review. Science; 212: 1055–1059.

Extension Material

Answer the “Apply it and develop it” sections on page 7 of the textbook.