Piaget’s Take on Cognitive Development

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The way in which I would apply Piaget's theory in my classroom is that by not expecting my students to see the world from mine or anyone else's point of view. This is because they might still egocentric. Another way I would implement Piaget into my classroom is by encouraging my students to explore and learn actively. Piaget urged to teach through experiences and this way the students will remain engaged throughout the lessons. Instead of teaching the common lectures as most children do, I would implement more hands on activities into my curriculum. This also captivates kinesthetic learners and can be more beneficial for them. Through this different outtake on the lessons I feel that children can guide their own learning. Another way I would invoke Piaget into the classroom is by

Although there was tremendous praise and support towards Piaget for his brilliant theory, he also faced a lot of criticism. It is evident that Piaget shifted the way people viewed the thinking of children and the different methods of studying them. However, some people argue if his stages of cognitive development are even real. Piaget placed a strong emphasis on cognitive development and biological maturation. Yet, some people think he forgot to take into consideration the social setting and culture that could have had a major effect on the development overall. There have also been studies that showed how the progress to formal operations stage is not assured.

Lev Vygotsky who was a Soviet psychologist during the late 1800’s to early 1900s, debated that. There are many different between Piaget and Vygotsky’s theories. For starters, Vygotsky placed a larger emphasis on culture shaping cognitive development as opposed to Piaget. Vygotsky does not solely believe in the stages in the way Piaget does. Instead, Vygotsky assumes that cognitive development is very dependent on the culture. Piaget can argue that cognitive development is more universal. Another different between both psychologists is that Vygotsky places more importance on social factors and learning that adds to the cognitive development. Piaget believes that cognitive development comes from children's independent learning and building knowledge on their own, whereas Vygotsky from social interactions. Yet another way in which Piaget and Vygotsky differ in views is that Vygotsky placed more significance on the role of language in cognitive development and Piaget lacked it. Piaget viewed thought is what influences and emerges language. Vygotsky believed that in fact these two aspects are initially two separate aspects but merge together at around 3 years of age. Vygotsky also believed that adults were the major connection to cognitive development. Piaget believed that peer interaction was the crucial source to this development.