Piaget’s Stages of Intellectual Development
Biologist turned child psychologist Jean Piaget was born in Switzerland in 1896. Piaget’s studies focused on the intelligence and social awareness of young children. In the 60′s educationalists developed new teaching methods from Piaget’s findings such as ‘learning through play’ and ‘reading readiness’, these methods are still prevalent today.
The idea of egocentric speech also came from some of Piaget’s work, the theory being that young children communicate in a way that is focused on the self “Erin wants to go swimming”, “Erin is eating a banana”, they find it difficult, if not impossible to see the world from anothers’ point of view. It was also observed that young children will use such language even when in the company of others, Piaget coined the term ‘collective monologue’ to accurately describe the way in which children will use egocentric speech in the presence of peers which may appear as communication, but is actually several children talking about themselves in the company of each other – sound familiar?
Based on his observations Piaget developed a general theory that children progress through four stages of cognitive development. Although children may pass through these stages at slightly different rates, Piaget found that it was impossible for a child to miss a stage completely.
As a parent I found these stages quite interesting.
Stage 1: Sensori-motor (birth – 2 years
The first stage involves the infant using his senses and motor abilities to explore, this begins with ‘primary circular reactions’ ie doing something over and over again – like sucking a thumb. The next phase (secondary circular reactions) moves onto objects within the environment ie grasping a ball, or playing with a light/sound toy – she realises that she has the power to make interesting things happen again and again. Finally during the second year tertiary circular motions come into play (pun not intended), this involves transferring the grasping/banging skills and trying them out on different things – banging a drum, banging the table, banging the door!
Stage 2: Pre-operational (2-7 years old)
The term ‘pre-operational’ describes the stage where a child lacks logical understanding. They can’t see anything from another point of view, physical or emotional. They take things at face value and struggle to understand the full consequence of an action. They are still egocentric, believing a lot that the worl revolves around them, clearly this isn’t helped by the fact they cannot see things from anyonelse’s perspective!
Stage 3: Operational (7-12 years old)
Finally children at this stage can understand a point of view other than their own. Their logical thinking is more advanced and so problem solving becomes easier.
Stage 4: Formal Operations
At this stage children can apply logic to maths and consider events in the future or in another place.
I've been blogging for four years and write about anything and everything that takes my fancy.
Above is me with my beloved Ernie in Port Aventura and left with our love child in Florida.
Themocracy
That’s interesting, Thanks!
Wasn’t sure I was mentally strong enough to tackle intellectual development this late at night, but am glad to have read your posting. It does make sense of how toddler talk. I find it heart-breaking how trusting Beanie is, taking things at face value, like you say – I try to explain to her that things are necessarily how they seem, but I don’t think it sinks in. Still, nice to have that innocent trust in the world. While it lasts!
Oops, that last comment should have read ‘try to explain to her things are NOT necessarily how they seem’. Freudian slip or what.
It made a lot of sense to me too
that’s what made me do a post!
Nice post! Adam Phillips also gave a broader view in his book Going Sane. Roughly speaking, from 0 – 12/puberty, most of our actions are in some way governed by marking out our roles within the family unit. From puberty to about 20, they’re governed by marking out our roles as separate from the family unit. And adulthood is the balance we strike between these two.
Interesting, I’d never heard of it, will refer back to this post and that book for future studies. Thanks
Swiss theoretician Jean Piaget had a life span from (1896-1980), above you wrote that he was born 1986? that makes him 17-years-old!
Looks like a typo Doreen, fixed now, thanks
please help me to find the piagets post operational