C3.3 Bruner’s Modes of Cognitive Representation

Who is Bruner?

An American psychologist and educator; was influenced by Vygotsky’s ideas, and highlighted the importance of scaffolding to support children’s learning in their ZPD.

What is Scaffolding?

Structured support provided by the MKO to help children develop cognitively, this is gradually withdrawn. After the child grasps knowledge/skill, scaffold is removed.

What are the methods of scaffolding?

• Provide hints - a little information to help child get to the “goal”

• Offer a range of possible answers - give 2/3 possibilities

• Additional resources - help child understand

What is mode of cognitive representation?

The stages of understanding and remembering the world.

What did Bruner believe?

That children learn and think in different ways as they grow. They develop their cognitive skills as they get older (maturation) and their thinking develops in three key stages.

What are the 3 modes of cognitive representation?

1. Enactive (0-1 year): action-based

2. Iconic (1-6 years): image-based

3. Symbolic (7+ years): language-based

What is the enactive mode?

Children learning through actions in a physical environment. This mode can be used throughout life but from birth to 1 year, it’s how babies learn.

• For example, young children might count using fingers or trace letters with their fingers

What is the iconic mode?

Children learning through visual images and pictures. Children can think about objects and events even when they’re not physically present, by imagining or visualising them. Can be used throughout life but main way children learn from age 1-6 years.

• For example, children may match pictures of objects with numbers

What is the symbolic mode?

Children learning through symbols, language, numbers, and abstract thinking. Children can use words to represent objects, ideas, or concepts without needing to see or touch them. Children begin to use their mode by the age of 8, and will use it to learn throughout their life.

• For example, a child uses a block as a pretend phone to talk to a grandparent