Cognitive development Chapter 4 Cognitive development

Figure 4.1 The brain  Source: NatthapongSachan/ Shutterstock.com

Figure 4.2 Planning for the study of children’s cognition NOW YOU CAN BEGIN Have you checked everything? How would this knowledge improve your work with children? How would you ensure the validity of your data and analysis?  How will you maintain confidentiality?  How ethical is your research idea? How could you collect data on this area of cognition? What techniques will you use (observation, questioning, interaction, test, task)?  What has already been found out in this area?  What do you know about this aspect of cognition?  Why do you want to research this area?  What do you want to find out about children’s cognition? START HERE Figure 4.2 Planning for the study of children’s cognition

1. I always wear a watch. 17. I'd make a good police detective. 2. I keep a diary/filofax/electronic organiser. 18. I am musically inclined. 3. I believe there is a right and wrong way to do everything. 19. If I have a problem, I try to work it out by relating it to one I've had in the past. 4. I hate following directions. 20. When I talk, I gesture a lot. 5. The expression ‘Life is just a bowl of cherries’ makes no sense to me. 21. If someone asks me a question, I turn my head to the right. 6. I find that sticking to a schedule is boring. 22. I believe there are two sides to every story. 7. I'd rather draw someone a map than tell them how to get somewhere. 23. I can tell if someone is guilty just by looking at them. 8. If I lost something, I'd try to remember where I saw it last. 24. I keep a ‘to do’ list. 9. If I don't know which way to turn, I let my emotions guide me. 25. I feel comfortable expressing myself with words. 10. I'm pretty good at maths. 26. Before I take a stand on an issue, I get all the facts. 11. If I had to assemble something, I’d read the directions first. 27. I’ve considered becoming a poet, a politician, an architect or a dancer. 12. I'm always late getting places. 28. I lose track of time easily. 13. Some people think I’m intuitive. 29. If I forgot someone's name, I’d go through the alphabet until I remembered it. 14. Setting goals for myself helps keep me working. 30. I like to draw. When somebody asks me a question, I turn my head to the left. 31. When I’m confused, I usually go with my instincts. If I have a tough decision to make, I write down the pros and the cons. 32. I have considered becoming a lawyer, journalist or doctor.   Left brain – 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 24, 26, 29, 32   Right brain – 4, 6, 7, 9, 12, 13, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31 Figure 4.3 Which hemisphere dominates?

Figure 4.4 Piaget’s model of cognition Source: Adapted from Davenport, 1994: 132

INSERT REDRAWN FIGURE 4.5 Figure 4.5 Children’s responses to ‘Is it an animal?’ Source: Bell and Freyberg, 1985: 31

Figure 4.6 A model for a constructivist teaching sequence Source: Adapted from Scott, 1987: 9