Piaget's Theory

Psychology

Jean Piaget (1896 - 1980) was the first psychologist to make a systematic study of cognitive development.  His contributions include a theory of cognitive child development, detailed observational studies of cognition in children, and a series of simple but ingenious tests to reveal different cognitive abilities (McLeod, 2009). Piaget has come up with a theory that suggest from ages 2 to 7 there is a significant increase in the representational activity of children. Piaget developed three educational principles that continue to have a major impact on the world today. Discovery learning, sensitivity to children’s readiness to learn, acceptance of individual differences are the educational principles derived from Piaget.

The discovery learning principle states that instead of presenting ready-made knowledge verbally, teachers provide a rich variety of materials designed to promote exploration—art supplies, puzzles, table games, dress-up clothing, building blocks, books, measuring tools, musical instruments, and more (Berk, 2010) By presenting children with different creative tools to learn you are able to trigger their minds and they are more interested in learning and participating. I have a 4 year old who loves puzzles he is now able to put together 84 piece puzzles by himself on the first try after starting with 5 piece puzzles. Children are very receptive to learning when they can perform independent activities. This principal is widely used in today’s world in classrooms and in homes.

The sensitivity to children’s readiness to learn principle states: teachers introduce activities that build on children’s current thinking, challenging their incorrect ways of viewing the world and enabling them to practice newly discovered schemes. But they do not try to hasten development by imposing new skills before children indicate interest or readiness (Berk, 2010)....