4+stages+of+development

Piagets 4 Stages of CHildhood Development: = 1 . Sensory motor stage (0-2 yrs) =

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This stage is concerned with the infants exploration of their world through movement and senses. Knowledge is acquired through looking, listening, sucking and grasping at objects. The most important development of this stage is object permanence. =====

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Object permanence occurs when the child realises that an object exists even though it cannot be seen or touched. Piaget studied this concept by hiding a teddy under a blanket, when the child reached for the teddy it had acquired object permanence and if it was not reached for the child had not yet developed this cognitive function. (Cohen,2003) =====

2.Pre operational stage (2-7yrs)
Within this period language is the most important development. An internal representation of the world allows the child to communicate their thoughts and feelings about people and events. Speech is said to be more socially based and less egotistical. The use of symbols in play are developed and a child will use objects that represent a steering wheel for example and imagine they are driving. When focusing on objects a child in this period will tend to focus on only one aspect disregarding any other. In the intuitive stage which Piaget highlighted in this period as age 2-4 yrs the child is guided by what you should do and shouldn’t do rather thsn on their own morals. ("Stages of intellectual..")

In the pre operational stage Piaget believed that children were unable to conserve mentally. Conservation means, “ the understanding that certain physical characteristics of objects remain the same, even when their outward appearance changes” (Berk, 1999).

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﻿3. Concrete operations (7-11yrs)
In this stage children learn to think logically about concrete objects. Basics of logic are applyicable as long as it is basedin the hear and now. Piaget believed these older children were more systematic in their cognitive behaviour. (Cohen, 2003) Logic: Piaget believed that children in this stage were good at the use of inductive logic. This involves going from a precise occurrence to a universal principle. Reversibility: In this important stage an awareness occurs that actions can be revered. This allows the child to reverse relationships mentally. (Cohen,2003)

4. Formal operations (12 yrs onwards)
In this stage children can use deductive logic. They have the ability to use a universal principle to a specific outcome. This kind of thinking uses hypothetical situations and abstract thinking. Where previously they relied on previous experience they can now consider possible outcomes and consequences. They also have the ability now to think about plans which may not happen until the future. When it comes to problem solving children now quickly organise their thinking to solve a specific problem.( Cohen, 2003)