Child Development Theories and Theorists Jean Piaget (1896-1980) Cognitive Developmental Theory Propose that children understand the world in cognitive structures called “mental schemes” Cognitive structures develop through four major stages or phases

Child Development Theories and Theorists Piaget’s Cognitive Development Stages Sensorimotor Stage (0-2 years) Children develop knowledge about the relationship between their bodies and external objects by experiencing the sensations associated with motor responses. Preoperational Stage (2-6 years) Children develop the capability of representational thought, the ability to use symbols and to picture things in his or her mind. Simple language skills also begin to develop during this time.

Child Development Theories and Theorists Piaget’s Cognitive Development Stages, Cont. Concrete Operations Stage (6-12 years) Children develop the ability to see from another point of view, to see relationships and events in two directions, to reason deductively, and to use conservation in their reasoning. Formal Operations Stage (12 years-adulthood) Older children and adolescents develop the ability of abstract and logical thought. They also begin to think of and test various alternatives.