Notes on Cognitive Development Stages and Theories

Sensorimotor Stage (0-2 years)
- Development of senses and motor functions.
- Infants learn to integrate senses (sight, hearing).
- Major milestones include crawling and walking.
- Normal walking range: 8 to 18 months; concern if not walking by 18 months.
- Crawling varies: some use scooting.
Preoperational Stage (2-7 years)
- Achieves object permanence; distress when primary caregiver is out of sight.
- Developmental milestones include basic motor skills and beginning of language skills.
- Characterized by egocentrism: children think others see the world as they do.
- Development of lying due to understanding parent reactions.
- Learning to comprehend basic instructions, with some frustrations in completing tasks effectively.
Concrete Operational Stage (7-11 years)
- Develops conservation: understanding that quantity remains the same despite changes in shape.
- Gains more logical reasoning and can perform basic math and reading comprehension, but struggles with abstract concepts like variables in algebra.
Formal Operational Stage (11-adult)
- Capable of abstract thought and critical thinking.
- Develops hypothetical-deductive reasoning.
- Ability to make predictions and understand abstract implications in social contexts.

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD): Difference between what a child can do alone versus what they can do with help.
Scaffolding: Adjusting support as a child learns, crucial for mastery of tasks.
Effective teaching must align with child's ZPD for optimal learning progress.