Unit 3.? - Cognitive Development theories

Jean Piaget

He studied children’s developing cognition-all the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating. 

Sensorimotor

Birth to 2 Years, Understanding the world through senses and motor actions.

Preoperational

2 to 7 Years, Developing language, symbolic thinking, and imagination.

Concrete Operational

7 to 11 Years, Logical reasoning about concrete objects, understanding conservation.

Formal Operational

12+ Years, Abstract and hypothetical thinking, problem-solving, and logic.

Sensorimotor Stage

he first of Piaget's stages of cognitive development (birth to age 2) when infants learn about the world through sensory experiences and motor actions. 

Object Permanence

the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, heard, or touched, developing during Piaget's sensorimotor stage.

Preoperational Stage

stage of cognitive development (ages 2 to 7), where children develop language, symbolic thinking, and imagination but struggle with logical reasoning and understanding others' perspectives.

Pretend Play

involves children acting out scenarios, roles, or situations using their imagination, developing creativity, social skills, and symbolic thinking.

Parallel Play

stage in early childhood where children play alongside each other without directly interacting, each focused on their own activity but observing and imitating others.

Animism

a belief in early childhood, common during Piaget's preoperational stage, where children attribute lifelike qualities, like feelings and intentions, to inanimate objects.

Egocentrism

a characteristic of the preoperational stage where children struggle to see things from another person's point of view, believing others share their perspective. 

Theory of Mind

the ability to understand that others have thoughts, feelings, and perspectives different from one's own, typically developing around age 4 to 5.

Concrete Operational Stage

iaget's third stage of cognitive development (ages 7 to 11), where children develop logical thinking about concrete objects and understand concepts like conservation and reversibility. 

Conservation

the understanding that certain properties of objects, such as volume or mass, remain consistent despite changes in form or appearance, typically developing in Piaget's concrete operational stage.

Reversibility

 the ability to mentally reverse an action or operation, understanding that objects can be returned to their original state, typically developing in Piaget's concrete operational stage.

Formal Operational Stage

Piaget's final stage of cognitive development (beginning at age 12), where individuals develop the ability to think abstractly, solve hypothetical problems, and use deductive reasoning.

Lev Vygotsky

developmental psychologist known for his theory that social interaction plays a critical role in cognitive development, emphasizing the importance of culture, language, and the "zone of proximal development" in learning.

Scaffolding

teaching method where a knowledgeable person provides tailored support to help a learner achieve new skills, gradually reducing assistance as the learner becomes more proficient.

Zone of Proximal Development

the range between what a learner can do independently and what they can achieve with guidance, emphasizing the importance of social interaction in learning.

Dementia

decline in cognitive functioning that interferes with daily life, characterized by memory loss, impaired judgment, and difficulties in communication and reasoning, often seen in older adults.