Cognitive Development and Learning Theories

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering essential concepts related to cognitive development, learning theories, and moral understanding.

Brain Development

The brain begins forming early in fetal development, consisting of forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain.

Neural Connections

Rapid increase in connections formed between neurons from birth to age 3, allowing fast communication in the brain.

Piaget's Stages of Cognitive Development

A theory by Jean Piaget outlining four stages through which children's thinking develops.

Sensorimotor Stage

The first stage (birth to 2 years) where children learn through senses and movement, developing object permanence.

Object Permanence

Understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, typically developed around 6 months.

Pre-Operational Stage

The second stage (2 to 7 years) where children use symbols and language but thinking is not yet logical.

Egocentrism

The inability to see the world from another person’s viewpoint, common in the pre-operational stage.

Concrete Operational Stage

The third stage (7 to 12 years) where children begin logical thinking primarily about concrete objects.

Formal Operational Stage

The final stage (12+ years) where thinking becomes abstract and hypothetical.

Cognitive Development

The process of learning how to think, reason, and understand through various stages.

Mindset

A set of beliefs guiding how individuals interpret and respond to situations, influencing learning and achievement.

Fixed Mindset

The belief that abilities are static and cannot be changed.

Growth Mindset

The belief that abilities can improve through effort and practice.

Schema

Mental structures that help organize knowledge and experiences.

Assimilation

Incorporating new experiences into existing schemas.

Accommodation

Changing a schema to fit new experiences when existing schemas do not work.

Equilibrium

A state of mental balance achieved when schemas successfully explain experiences.

Moral Development

The process through which children learn and understand the principles of right and wrong.

Piaget's Theory of Moral Development

Piaget's idea that moral understanding develops through stages, similar to cognitive development.

Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development

Kohlberg proposed three levels containing six stages of moral reasoning.

Empathy

The ability to understand and share others' feelings, which develops progressively in children.