Brianna Volz

EDUC 121 Child and Adolescent Development

Professor Deardorf
February 23, 2016

As time progresses, it comes to my attention that the way children are

raised is just not as it used to be, or at least how it was when I was growing
up. There are so many diferent ways to parent and adjust to a childs needs
developmentally, but do individuals ever actually sit back and learn and
investigate the diferent types of theories of development that have been
constructed through time? I have learned about several diferent theorists
through my child and adolescent development class. Taking this into
consideration, I think that most, if not all of the theorists, had similar theories
that had very good evidence and deep thought that helped back it up. Jean
Piaget is the child theorist that I chose to type this paper over. I felt as if he
had a pretty basic, common sense, type of theory that I felt was good to be
aware of.
Biologist and psychologist, Jean Piaget was born in Switzerland on
August 9, 1896. He was the first born to his family. His mother, Rebecca,
was a big influence to his interests in the science field. She had an intriguing
interest in his own neurotic tendencies. His father, Arthur, on the other hand
was a medieval literature professor who modeled a passionate dedication,
which was a trait that Jean picked up on at an early age. He would visit
history museums and spend hours upon hours just examining specimens that
were put on show there. At an early age of 11, Jean published a paper on an
albino sparrow. It would lead to be widely published and people everywhere

considered him to be an expert on the topic. By the time he was 20 years

old, he had published over 20 papers on mollusks.

After he graduated high school, Jean Piaget went on to study zoology at

the University of Neuchatel. It wasnt until 1918 at the age of 22 that he
received his Ph.D. in the natural science. After he graduated college, he
moved on that same year to study psychology under Carl Jung and Paul
Eugen Bleuler at the University of Zurich. It was there that he developed a
deep interest for psychoanalysis. He would also later study abroad in
Sorbonne, Paris.
Jean Piaget was married in 1923 to Valentine Chatenay. They had
three children; Jacqueline (1925), Lucienne (1927), and in 1931, a son whose
name was Laurent. Piaget of course used each of his children to investigate
the thought process of children as they progress and development
cognitively through time. After observing carefully, he eventually came up
with a theory that consisted of four stages. They are as in the order that
follows: sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal
operational. I will now explain these stages and their meanings in greater
detail.
The first stage that Piaget came up with was the sensorimotor stage.
This stage took place from the ages of birth to 2 years old. It deals with the
coordination of senses with motor response, and an overall curiosity of the

world and how it works. At this time babies are only aware of what is right in
front of them and what they are doing. They do not know how certain things
will react, that is why they are so physical and constantly experimenting with
what is immediately in front of them. Language for demands is formed as
well as object performance. This stage is a basic key to a childs hand eye
coordination and their memory as to how certain things react to one another,
etc.

The second stage that Piaget expresses in his theory of cognitive

development is the preoperational stage. This stage takes place between
the ages of 2 to 7 years old. It deals with a childs symbolic thinking and the
use of full, proper grammar to express certain concepts. During this time,
imagination and intuition are very strong as well and realistic, abstract
thought is very difficult for them to comprehend. They also develop memory
which allows them to understand the diference between past and future and
engage in make-believe.
The third stage Piaget came up with was the concrete operational
stage. This took place between the ages of 7 to 11 years old. Concepts that
are attached to more abstract thought and situations is more understood at
this time. Time, space, and quantity can be applied but not as independent
concepts. Childrens thinking becomes less egocentric, and they are

increasingly aware of external events. They begin to realize as well that

ones own thoughts and feelings are unique and may not be shared by others
or even be a part of reality.
The last of Piagets four stages to child development is known as the
formal operations stage. This afects ages of 11+. This is known as more
theoretical and hypothetical way of thinking that takes place for the rest of a
humans life. Concepts can be learned and connected to one another and
strategy and planning can also become possible. This could take place in
classes like math and science. They think about multiple variables and
hypotheses and consider diferent possible outcomes. Piaget also believed in
life long development; he insisted that the formal operational stage is the
final stage of cognitive development, and that continued intellectual
development in adults depends on the accumulation of knowledge through
time.
I am sure you are wondering, just as I know I am, how Piaget tested
and came about with all these stages for his theory of cognitive
development. He for one studied and observed each of his three children,
but he also tested certain aspects of a childs development to validate his
thinking. Piaget says that children make mistakes not upon random and
being unintellectual, like adults, but more the fact that it involves on a
consistent logic of trial and error and learning and teaching oneself as they
progress and grow through their early stages of development. That is why
the first 2 years for a babys development is so important and key.

Numerous tests were run by Piaget and his co-workers. These tests
covered a variety of subject areas such as numbers, space, and logical
operations. By studying and researching childrens responses to these tests,
Piaget advanced his knowledge and understanding of how children think. If
it wasnt for Piagets intense thought process and will to understand
childrens thinking in a more in depth manner, we may not be where we are
today in the understanding of cognitive development. I like Piagets theory. I
think the stages all make sense. I work in a daycare and can easily relate all
of these stages and thought processes to some of the kids I help take care of
on a daily basis.

Websites Used:

www.m.webmd.com/children/piaget-stages-of-development
www.psycology.about.com/od/piagetstheory/a/keyconcepts.htm
www.simplypsycology.org
www.biography.com/people/jean-piaget-9439915
www.piaget.org/aboutpiaget,html