Piagets and Vygotsky's Theories in the Classroom

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Since the early 1900’s psychologists have developed theories about how the human brain develops and how humans learn. Cognitive development is the construction of thought processes, including remembering, problem solving, and decision-making, from childhood through adolescence to adulthood (Wells, 2011). There are many factors that play vital roles in how we learn, some of which are intelligence, reasoning and memory.

There are different theories as to how children learn. Some believe that babies are born with the ability to pay attention, sort information and develop perception. Jean Piaget believed that children develop cognitively through schemes that are constructed through trail and error. On the other hand, Russian Psychologist, Lev Vygotsky believed that children learn about their surroundings through speech. In essence, they talk their way though puzzling situations and problems.

Piaget believed that children learn through organization and schemes and that learning was biologically connected. According to this theory, children organize ideas into schemes. When new information comes along, they incorporate it into the ‘schemes’ that they already know. If there isn’t an existing scheme, the information is organized into a ‘new’ scheme, therefore, they are accommodating for the new information. All of the information that is stored is kept in check by what Piaget referred to this as equilibration which is how the human brain balances information against reality. Piaget’s theory of cognitive development is a constant process of organizing, assimilating, adapting and re-organizing. Vygotsky saw a connection between experiences, speech and learning. He theorized that children learn through language and social inter...

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...the classroom. No matter which theory a teacher follows, he/she should create a positive learning environment and take an active role in the education of their students.

Works Cited

McDevitt, T. M., & Ormrod, J. E. (2007). Child development and education (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall.

Shuell, T. (n.d.). Cognitive Development. Home | UB Graduate School of Education. Retrieved April 6, 2011, from http://gse.buffalo.edu/fas/shuell/cep564/lectures/cogdev.htm

Waring, P. (n.d.). Home. Â Psychology4A. Retrieved April 7, 2011, from http://psychology4a.com/develop4.htm

Wells, K. (n.d.). Cognitive Development - stages, meaning, average, Definition, Description, Common problems. Encyclopedia of Children's Health: Infancy Through Adolescence. Retrieved April 6, 2011, from http://www.healthofchildren.com/C/Cognitive-Development.html

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