Theoretical Perspectives On Cognitive Development

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There are different theoretical perspectives in relation to cognitive development that explain how a child learn and develop through time.
1. Behaviorist approach was adopted by B.F.Skinner in the 1904 which emphasizes that a child will learn as a result of the consequences of an event. This means that based on reward, the child seems to respond actively to the activity and therefore will ask to repeat again. This theory entails that behavior of a child is based on consequences.
2. Constructive approach takes a child as an active learner and therefore a child learn from his/her own experiences. Jean Piaget was astonished by children own logic and thinking and he created his own theory that child develop patterns of actions and thinking that …show more content…

His theory was based on social constructive model where reasoning grows with interaction and higher-level thinking. Vygotsky mentions that the child’s current level of development in cognitive thinking named as the ‘Zone of Actual Development’ (ZAD) will grow with support from a more knowledgeable peer or adult to reach to child’s ‘Zone of Proximal Development’ (ZPD).
Jerome Bruner mentioned that there are different modes of thinking. It can start with being enactive which is learning through physical movements, then learning through images, then learning through symbols. He also noted that the more information are simplified, the better the child will learn and then once these skills are absorbed and acquired, we can refer back to them and add a new skill in a wider perspective of learning. This was referred to as ‘scaffolding’.
Albert Bandura refers that children cognitive learning grows as a matter of the social learning theory which is children will learn on what they see adults are doing and incorporate their observation in their actions and learning. This model of learning needs to be practiced while making sure that the 4 key conditions are …show more content…

Having great time doing an activity and being rewarded eventually will lead the child to repeat the activity again as it kept good impression in his mind and vice versa.
Social Constructive Approach - Paiget A child’s needs change as he and his understanding matures and children can think differently according to their age and stage of development thus this is linked to the current curriculum that sets stages in learning like Key Stage 1, 2,3 onwards depending on age and maturity. Also, early years setting provides more activities and tasks for children to help them grow in learning new skills where a child can learn through play. Teachers are working out the needs of children and plan activities accordingly.
Social Constructive Approach - Vygotsky Zone of proximal development - what a child can potentially achieve with the support of a more knowledgeable ‘other’. This is done through our assessment of the current level of the child and plan activities to help develop into the next stages. Providing the child with quality time and good relationship to apply child-initiated activities and adult-led

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