
What are Piaget's 6 stages of child development?
What Are Piaget's 6 Stages of Child Development?
- Sensorimotor Stage. The first stage of child development occurs from birth to approximately two years. ...
- Preoperational Stage. Between two and six years, the development of language skills is predominant. ...
- Concrete Operational Stage. ...
- Formal Operational Stage. ...
What are the main characteristics of the preoperational stage?
The key features of the preoperational stage include:
- Centration. Centration is the tendency to focus on only one aspect of a situation at one time. ...
- Egocentrism. ...
- Play. ...
- Symbolic Representation. ...
- Pretend (or symbolic) Play. ...
- Animism. ...
- Artificialism. ...
- Irreversibility.
What are the Piaget stages of development?
The four stages are:
- Sensorimotor – 18-24 months
- Preoperational – 18 months to 2 years
- Concrete Operational – 7 years to age 11
- Formal Operational – approximately age 11 through the rest of life
What are Piaget's four stages of intellectual development?
1 Piaget's stages are:
- Sensorimotor stage: birth to 2 years
- Preoperational stage: ages 2 to 7
- Concrete operational stage: ages 7 to 11
- Formal operational stage: ages 12 and up

What is an example of Piaget's preoperational stage?
A classic example is, a preoperational child will cover their eyes so they can't see someone and think that that person can't see them either. The child also has ridged thinking, which involves the following. Centration – a child will become completely fixed on one point, not allowing them to see the wider picture.
What is preoperational stage characteristics?
The main characteristics of the preoperational stage are the concepts of egocentrism, centration and conservation, and symbolic representation. Children in this stage use symbols to represent their world, but they are limited to experience from their point of view.
What is the definition of preoperational?
: of, relating to, or being the stage of cognitive development according to Jean Piaget's theory in which thought is egocentric and intuitive and not yet logical or capable of performing mental tasks Piaget believed that during the preschool period and up to about age 6 or 7, children are in a preoperational stage—too ...
What are the characteristics of children in the preoperational stage?
Preoperational Stage During this stage (toddler through age 7), young children are able to think about things symbolically. Their language use becomes more mature. They also develop memory and imagination, which allows them to understand the difference between past and future, and engage in make-believe.
What do children learn to do during the preoperational period?
The preoperational stage is a developmental phase in which kids learn to represent things in the mind. In this stage, kids start to engage in symbolic play and learn to manipulate symbols. Piaget noted that they do not yet comprehend concrete logic.
What are 4 characteristics of pre operational thinking that make logic difficult?
-Piaget described symbolic thought as characteristic of preoperational thought. He noted four limitations that make logic difficult until about age 6: centration, focus on appearance, static reasoning, and irreversibility.
What are the main points of Piaget's theory?
Piaget proposed four major stages of cognitive development, and called them (1) sensorimotor intelligence, (2) preoperational thinking, (3) concrete operational thinking, and (4) formal operational thinking. Each stage is correlated with an age period of childhood, but only approximately.
How do you teach the preoperational stage?
Strategies for Teaching Preoperational Children:Use concrete props and visual aids whenever possible.Make instruction relatively short-- not too many steps at once.Use actions as well as words.Help children develop their ability to see the world from someone else's point of view.More items...
What can help preoperational development?
Activities you can do togetherRole play can help your child overcome egocentrism because this is a way to put themselves in someone else's shoes. ... Let your child play with materials that change shape so that they can begin to understand conservation. ... Have more time?More items...•
Which of the following is a characteristic of the preoperational stage of cognitive development?
According to Piaget, this stage occurs from the age of 2 to 7 years. In the preoperational stage, children use symbols to represent words, images, and ideas, which is why children in this stage engage in pretend play.
What are the 4 stages of Piaget's cognitive development examples?
Sensorimotor stage: Birth to 2 years. Preoperational stage: Ages 2 to 7. Concrete operational stage: Ages 7 to 11. Formal operational stage: Ages 12 and up.
What are the two Substages of Piaget's preoperational stage?
The preoperational stage is divided into two substages: the symbolic function substage (ages 2-4) and the intuitive thought substage (ages 4-7).
Which description is characteristic of preoperational thought in toddlers?
Piaget proposed that cognitive development progressed in stages and categorized these stages by children's ages. Between the ages of 2 and 7, preoperational children are described as being egocentric. They are controlled by their own perceptions, thoughts, and ideas, and cannot consider the viewpoint of others.
What are the characteristics of sensorimotor stage?
The Sensorimotor Stage Major characteristics and developmental changes during this stage: Know the world through movements and sensations. Learn about the world through basic actions such as sucking, grasping, looking, and listening. Learn that things continue to exist even when they cannot be seen (object permanence)
What are Piaget's 4 stages of development?
Sensorimotor stage (0–2 years old) Preoperational stage (2–7 years old) Concrete operational stage (7–11 years old) Formal operational stage (11 years old through adulthood)
What is an example of the formal operational stage?
Formal Operational Stage of Cognitive Development He/she can do mathematical calculations, think creatively, use abstract reasoning, and imagine the outcome of particular actions.
What is Piaget's focus on?
The concepts of egocentrism and conservation are both centered on abilities that children have not yet developed; they lack the understanding that things look different to other people and that objects can change in appearance while still maintaining the same properties.
When does preoperational development occur?
The preoperational stage occurs roughly between the ages 2 and 7. Language development is one of the hallmarks of this period. 1
How did Piaget study children?
One of the famous techniques to demonstrate egocentrism involved using a three-dimensional display of a mountain scene. Often referred to as the "Three Mountain Task," children are asked to choose a picture that showed the scene they had observed.
What are the characteristics of concrete operational stage?
Characteristics of Concrete Operational Stage in Cognitive Development . The preoperational stage is the second stage in Piaget's theory of cognitive development. This stage begins around age 2, as children start to talk, and lasts until approximately age 7. 1 . During this stage, children begin to engage in symbolic play ...
What is the term for the ability to understand that other people have different perspectives, thoughts, feelings, and mental states?
Developmental psychologists refer to the ability to understand that other people have different perspectives, thoughts, feelings, and mental states as theory of mind.
Why do children choose the mountain scene?
Invariably, children almost always choose the scene showing their own view of the mountain scene. According to Piaget, children experience this difficulty because they are unable to take on another person's perspective. 2
What is the preoperational stage of cognitive development?
Piaget’s Preoperational Stage of Cognitive Development. Piaget’s stage that coincides with early childhood is the Preoperational Stage. According to Piaget, this stage occurs from the age of 2 to 7 years. In the preoperational stage, children use symbols to represent words, images, and ideas, which is why children in this stage engage in pretend ...
What are the preoperational stages of a child?
The preoperational period is divided into two stages: The Symbolic Function Substage occurs between 2 and 4 years of age and is characterized by the child being able to mentally represent an object that is not present and a dependence on perception in problem solving. The Intuitive Thought Substage, lasting from 4 to 7 years, is marked by greater dependence on intuitive thinking rather than just perception (Thomas, 1979). At this stage, children ask many questions as they attempt to understand the world around them using immature reasoning. Let’s examine some of Piaget’s assertions about children’s cognitive abilities at this age.
What is the critique of Piaget?
Critique of Piaget: Similar to the critique of the sensorimotor period, several psychologists have attempted to show that Piaget also underestimated the intellectual capabilities of the preoperational child. For example, children’s specific experiences can influence when they are able to conserve.
What are preoperational errors?
Classification Errors: Preoperational children have difficulty understanding that an object can be classified in more than one way. For example, if shown three white buttons and four black buttons and asked whether there are more black buttons or buttons, the child is likely to respond that there are more black buttons. They do not consider the general class of buttons. Because children lack these general classes, their reasoning is typically Transductive, that is, making faulty inferences from one specific example to another. For example, Piaget’s daughter Lucienne stated she had not had her nap, therefore it was not afternoon. She did not understand that afternoons are a time period and her nap was just one of many event that occurred in the afternoon (Crain, 2005). As the child’s vocabulary improves and more schemata are developed, the ability to classify objects improves.
What is Piaget's experiment?
Piaget’s classic experiment on egocentrism involved showing children a three dimensional model of a mountain and asking them to describe what a doll that is looking at the mountain from a different angle might see (see Figure 4.9). Children tend to choose a picture that represents their own, rather than the doll’s view. By age 7 children are less self-centered.
What is pretend play?
Pretend Play: Pretending is a favorite activity at this time. A toy has qualities beyond the way it was designed to function and can now be used to stand for a character or object unlike anything originally intended. A teddy bear, for example, can be a baby or the queen of a faraway land. Piaget believed that children’s pretend play helped children solidify new schemata they were developing cognitively. This play, then, reflected changes in their conceptions or thoughts. However, children also learn as they pretend and experiment. Their play does not simply represent what they have learned (Berk, 2007).
What is the meaning of "egocentrism" in early childhood?
Egocentrism: Egocentrism in early childhood refers to the tendency of young children not to be able to take the perspective of others, and instead the child thinks that everyone sees, thinks, and feels just as they do.
What are some examples of preoperational stage?
Examples of the preoperational stage. As your child moves from the sensorimotor stage (the first of Piaget’s cognitive development stages) to the preoperational stage, you’ll notice their imagination developing. When they zoom around the room with their arms outstretched because they’re an airplane, keep out of the way!
What are the stages of cognitive development?
According to Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget, there are four stages of cognitive development (thinking and reasoning) that we move through as we grow into adults. The delightful stage your child has entered, the second stage, is called the preoperational stage.
What do kids pretend to be?
Role-playing is also a thing at this stage — your kiddo may pretend to be “daddy,” “mommy,” “teacher,” or “doctor,” to name a few.
Why is pretend play important?
According to Piaget, children’s pretend play helps them solidify the concepts that they’re developing cognitively. Here’s when your dining room chairs become a bus. Keep an eye out: You may need to referee when your child and their playmate fight over who’s the driver and who’s the passenger.
What is the assumption that everything that exists had to have been made by a sentient being, such as God or?
Artificialism. Piaget defined this as the assumption that everything that exists had to have been made by a sentient being, such as God or a human. This being is responsible for its qualities and movements. In other words, in the eyes of your child, rain isn’t a natural phenomenon — someone is making it rain.
What is the operational stage?
The name of this stage hints to what’s happening here: “Operational” refers to the ability to manipulate information logically. Yes, your child is thinking. But they can’t yet use logic to transform, combine, or separate ideas.
When do toddlers start talking?
Your toddler hits the preoperational stage between 18 to 24 months when they start to talk. As they build up their experiences of the world around them, they move towards the stage where they can use logical thought and imagine things.
What is the milestone of Piaget's operational stage?
Children 11 years old and older fall into Piaget’s formal operational stage. A milestone of this period is using symbols to understand abstract concepts. Not only that, but older kids and adults can also think about multiple variables and come up with hypotheses based on previous knowledge.
What are Piaget's stages?
Piaget’s four stages. Piaget’s stages are age-specific and marked by important characteristics of thought processes. They also include goals children should achieve as they move through a given stage. Stage. Age.
How can caregivers use schemas?
Parents and teachers can help build a child’s various schemas to promote learning and development throughout the stages. This can be achieved by giving children plenty of exposure to the outside world. Being exposed to a variety of learning-by-doing experiences from a young age may help build up those internal index cards. Then, as children get older, it’s about broadening the experiences and applying them to new, even hypothetical, situations.
What are the similarities between Piaget and Maria Montessori?
Maria Montessori shared some ideas with Piaget, including how children move through stages. Their theories are similar until children reach age 3. In school, Montessori classrooms are more child-directed. Piaget classrooms are more teacher-directed with a focus on routine, though there is flexibility and opportunity for child-directed activities.
What did Piaget believe?
Piaget believed that people of all ages developed intellectually. But he also believed that once a person reaches the formal operational stage, it’s more about building upon knowledge, not changing how it’s acquired or understood.
What are Piaget's assumptions about children?
Piaget made several assumptions about children while developing his theory: Children build their own knowledge based on their experiences. Children learn things on their own without influence from adults or older children. Children are motivated to learn by nature. They don’t need rewards as motivation.
What is the sensorimotor stage?
The sensorimotor stage covers children ages birth to 18–24 months old. Characteristics include motor activity without use of symbols. All things learned are based on experiences, or trial and error.
What is the preoperational stage?
During the preoperational stage, the child develops their own conscience. One of the main characteristics associated with this achievement is seen in the prevalence of egocentric thinking. In addition, imagination is of great importance during this stage.
What did Jean Piaget study?
With these studies on human intelligence, Jean Piaget laid the foundations for genetic epistemology which was later incorporated into psychology and educational theories. His source of inspiration was his own children, whom he observed and analyzed to develop his theories.
Why is language important in preoperational development?
This, coupled with more representative knowledge, helps the child improve their communication. Furthermore, they’re able to capture and understand ideas better, hence can express themselves better.
What is the theory of cognitive development?
Among them is the theory of cognitive development. According to this theory, the human being develops from birth, constantly overcoming different stages.
What is Piaget's self centeredness?
Self-centeredness. With this term, Piaget refers to the way the child sees and describes things. In fact, they all revolve around the child’s own experience. Everything is centered on the child.
How old is a pre conceptual?
Pre conceptual. It lasts from two to four years old. At this stage, the child isn’t able to understand relative terms, such as major and minor.
What is centralization in children?
Centralization Children are only able to focus on one object or situation at a time. Indeed, at this age, they experience difficulties in attending to several aspects simultaneously. In addition, they’re more likely to focus their attention on non-social issues than those of a social nature.
What is Piaget's stage theory?
Piaget's stage theory describes the cognitive development of children. Cognitive development involves changes in cognitive process and abilities. 2 In Piaget's view, early cognitive development involves processes based upon actions and later progresses to changes in mental operations.
How many stages did Piaget develop?
Through his observations of his children, Piaget developed a stage theory of intellectual development that included four distinct stages:
What is the cognitive development of Piaget?
The cognitive development that occurs during this period takes place over a relatively short period of time and involves a great deal of growth. Children not only learn how to perform physical actions such as crawling and walking; they also learn a great deal about language from the people with whom they interact. Piaget also broke this stage down into a number of different substages. It is during the final part of the sensorimotor stage that early representational thought emerges.
What is the mechanism of Piaget's theory of assimilation?
Piaget believed that all children try to strike a balance between assimilation and accommodation, which is achieved through a mechanism Piaget called equilibration. As children progress through the stages of cognitive development, it is important to maintain a balance between applying previous knowledge (assimilation) and changing behavior to account for new knowledge (accommodation). Equilibration helps explain how children can move from one stage of thought to the next. 3
What did Piaget say about children's intellectual development?
It is important to note that Piaget did not view children's intellectual development as a quantitative process; that is, kids do not just add more information and knowledge to their existing knowledge as they get older. Instead, Piaget suggested that there is a qualitative change in how children think as they gradually process through these four stages. 4 A child at age 7 doesn't just have more information about the world than he did at age 2; there is a fundamental change in how he thinks about the world.
What did Piaget believe about object permanence?
Piaget believed that developing object permanence or object constancy, the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, was an important element at this point of development.
What did Piaget believe about children?
Piaget believed that children take an active role in the learning process, acting much like little scientists as they perform experiments, make observations, and learn about the world. As kids interact with the world around them, they continually add new knowledge, build upon existing knowledge, and adapt previously held ideas to accommodate new information.
What is the preoperational stage of development?
The preoperational stage of development is the second of four stages in Jean Piaget's cognitive development theory. It follows the sensorimotor stage and occurs approximately between the ages of 2 and 7. During this stage, children are learning language and are able to symbolically represent things, places, and events through speech, art, and physical objects. They can think about these things, but it is in a very limited manner. Thinking about a course of action is not yet within their range. During this stage, children's thinking is egocentric and centered, and they cannot yet achieve conservation.
What do children learn during the preoperational stage of development?
During the preoperational stage of development, children learn to use language and are able to represent, symbolize, and think about things in their environment. However, their thinking is still very limited, and they are unable to understand others' perspectives as well as multiple aspects of a given object or situation. They also lack conservation, which is needed to understand that some properties of an object do not change with manipulation.
What are the characteristics of the preoperational stage?
Students will write a short description of a scenario that shows each of the three characteristics in the preoperational stage, egocentric thinking, centration, and conservation. For example, a student might choose to write a narrative about a little boy that offers a parent a stuffed animal when the parent is upset. This shows egocentric thinking because the child assumes the same things will comfort the parent that comforts them. The student might then choose to draw a picture of the child providing the stuffed animal as the art portion of the project.
