Theories Of Piaget And Vygotsky's Four Stages Of Cognitive Development

1277 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Similarities between piaget and vygotsky theories of learning

Introduction

The study of the ways in which people affect, and are affected by others, is known as social psychology; a primary means by which people affect one another is through the medium of Communication (Kruglanski and Higgins, 2007). At the heart of communication is the idea of shared meanings between one, or more people, however, communication is not simply a case of exchanging words; through the process of communication we create meanings and an understanding of what words and behaviours represent or imply (Ramaraju, 2012). Language acquisition forms a critical basis for a child’s development, it is an essential tool for communicating, building relationships with others, and learning (Brock and Rankin, 2008). This assignment probes early language acquisition in infants and children; starting with typical child language
A number of psychological perspectives are evaluated, these perspectives include the behaviourist theory of B.F. Skinner and the the nativist concepts of Noam Chomsky. Following this is a more indepth review of the psychology of cognition and cognitive development, highlighting the contrasting theories of Piaget and Vygotsky and their contributions to the discourse. Piaget’s four stages of cognitive development are explored in relation to language acquisition and Vygotsky’s theories surrounding the Zone of Proximal development, and the practical application of ‘scaffolding’ are examined. A case study is then presented highlighting atypical language development in a child aged three, this includes details of the child’s personality, and the impact his communication difficulties are having in terms of his social skills and depth of social interaction with peers. Delayed language development is then delineated and defined, and interventions to support language development are offered. Finally areas for future professional development are discussed, along with their implications for

Show More
Related

  • Toddler Room Observation

    648 Words  | 2 Pages

    The most popular method for educators at the centre to build on children’s comments and conversations is by talking with them, particularly by talking through processes or experiences as they are happening. With infants this process of talking through experiences and processes seems more like narration. Spending time in the infant room feels solidary as I talk to myself for most of the day, however it is important to remind myself that the child is learning through my one-sided conversations. Baby’s language develops socially, they listen to those speaking around them and then begin to internalise the words that are high frequency (Clarke, 2004). As they develop their vocabulary grows as they build their repertoire through socialisation. Research

    Read More

  • Jean Piaget And Vygotsky's Theory Of Intellectual Development

    2028 Words  | 5 Pages

    Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky are two of the most well known cognitive psychologists who addressed cognitive development and learning among children and youths. While there are similarities, contrasts do exist between the two theories, and those contrasts are vital to the comprehension and application of the theories, especially in an educational setting.

    Read More

  • Cognitive Development (Piaget And Vygotsky)

    2418 Words  | 5 Pages

    Piaget’s Developmental Theory, better known as his Stage Theory, he describes how a person develops from birth and how each level effects a person. (Described in more detail on page six) This is an example of discontinuity. His stages only approach up to, and end with, approximately age fifteen. This theory does not seem to have any major factors after approximately age fifteen.

    Read More

  • Theories of Child Development

    1024 Words  | 3 Pages

    Lev Vygotsky stages of development were not defined by age or biology. Social and cultural experiences were the basis for his theory. Consciousness was an end product of social interactions (Kearsley, 1994-2010). The history of the child’s society and his own personal history determine how the child thinks. Language is crucial for development as it is with words that a child conceptualizes and makes sense of the world (Schütz, 2004). A precept of Vygotsky’s theory wa...

    Read More

  • Comparing Piaget and Vygotsky

    2169 Words  | 5 Pages

    Cognition is the process involved in thinking and mental activity, such as attention, memory and problem solving. In this essay on cognitive development I will compare and contrast the theories of Piaget and Vygotsky, who were both influential in forming a more scientific approach to analyzing the cognitive development process of the child active construction of knowledge. (Flanagan 1996 P.72). I will then evaluate the usefulness of these theories in understanding a child's development.

    Read More

  • Importance Of Social Communication In Language Development

    696 Words  | 2 Pages

    It is also possible to extract evidence of the importance of social communication in language development from children brought up in total isolation. These children may have certain contact with other humans, but are deprived of all social interaction. One clear example of a child kept in isolation is the case of “Genie”, who was subjected to extremely severe abuse and mistreatment by her own father when she was kept in isolation for approximately 13 years, and was consequently never exposed to any significant amount of speech. Curtis (1977) perceived the case of Genie as a unique opportunity to study the human development of language, and found that Genie would never be able to have proficient grammar and never learn good syntax and produce correct sentences. The case of Genie created the hypotheses of “critical periods” in the learning of language, suggesting that first languages are easier acquired before puberty and learned more efficiently. However, Genie learned some language skills, which hints that some level of language attainment is possible even after a critical period. However, one should remember that linguistic deprivation is usually related with other kinds of deficiency and it becomes difficult to separate these effects from each other.

    Read More

  • Piaget And Vygotsky Essay

    1604 Words  | 4 Pages

    Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky are two very well-known theorists who emphasized the development of cognition in their theories. In Piaget’s Cognitive Developmental theory, he claimed that children go through a series of stages, which he used to describe human development. In Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory of Learning, he believed culture and social interaction played a role in cognitive development. Although Piaget and Vygotsky both focused their theories on cognitive development they take different stances a series of developmental issues. This paper will look at the similarities and differences between these theorist’s views on critical developmental issues, such as view of human nature, mechanisms of development, and their

    Read More

  • Cognitive Development and Language Skills Development

    2085 Words  | 5 Pages

    Cognitive Development and Language Skills Development “Cognitive development underpins all the other aspects of development as children start to explore and make sense of the world around them. It is closely linked to the development of language and communication skills as children interact with the people around them.” There are many theories written on the subjects of cognitive development and language and communication. These theories vary in several ways, but they all seem to make the link between the too subjects. Childcare settings put these theories into practise in a lot of ways, sometimes without even realising it, just through conversation.

    Read More

  • Piaget's Stages Of Cognitive Development Essay

    1346 Words  | 3 Pages

    When Piaget was a biologist, he was always curious about how an organism adapts to the environment, which he described as intelligence. He then thought that behavior, the adaptation to the environment, is controlled through schemas which would be used to represent actions. This would then explain that adaptation is driven by the biological drive to find an equilibrium between the environment and these schemas. Going off of this, Piaget believed that infants were born with schemas that started operating at birth which he then called “reflexes.” As the child aged, the schemas would grow to become more complex and would go about this in a series of stages. These stages are known as a part of Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development. The four branches of stages include; sensorimotor, pre-operational, concrete operational, and formal operational (“Early Brain Development for Social Work Practice:

    Read More

  • Child Development and Learning Focusing on Language Development

    1979 Words  | 4 Pages

    This essay is about a child’s development and learning, focusing primarily on language development. It will describe the main stages of developmental "milestones" and the key concepts involved for children to develop their language skills, discussing language acquisition and social learning theory. The essay will also look into the key theorists involved in language development, primarily Vygotsky and Chomsky, and how these theories have had an impact on the way society views language and their implementation within schools. The essay will describe the factors affecting language development, both biological and environmental. While also discussing key arguments among theorists, one being the nature vs nurture debate, and how these play a part in the teaching in schools.

    Read More

  • Piaget's Cognitive Development Stage Theory: Case Study

    1414 Words  | 3 Pages

    According to Piaget’s cognitive development stage theory, people attain different levels of cognitive functioning at different stages of their lives. During adolescence, people develop the ability to think beyond what is real in the present and think to the possibilities of the future (Ashford & LeCroy, 2013 p. 429). They can reflect on abstract concepts. Piaget’s referred to this thought process as formal operational thought. Adolescents develop the ability to cultivate ideals and express specific plans for the future. They also have the capacity to develop clear goals to attain their plans and objectives (2013). Precious is developmentally on tasks, as she he developed clear goals, and demonstrated

    Read More

  • Comparing Theories of Language Acquisition and Language Development

    2926 Words  | 6 Pages

    The aim of this essay is to explore language acquisition and compare and contrast different theories of language acquisition and language development. Language in its most basic form is used to communicate our needs and wants. It encompasses a range of modes of delivery including signing, spoken and written words, posture, eye contact, facial expressions and gestures. So how do we learn ‘language’? Are we born with the skills for communication, or is it something that we have to learn or have taught to us? Four theories are looked at in this essay to determine how children acquire and then develop language. These theories include behaviourist, nativist, cognitivist and sociocultural. This essay will highlight some similarities and differences in each theory and what impact these have on a child’s acquisition and development of language. Lastly we will look at the implications of these theories when working with children. Can a classroom teacher deliver a quality literacy program based on just one of these theories or does it need to incorporate components of all four? Sims, (2012) pp. 21 states ‘’High-quality learning experiences in the early years of life enhance children’s cognitive and language skills’’. This places a great responsibility on educators and teachers alike to provide an environment which is rich in learning opportunities that will encourage both the acquisition and development of language.

    Read More

  • Piaget's Theory Of Language Development

    2212 Words  | 5 Pages

    Piaget believes functions of language develops over four stages which are, the sensorimotor stage, the preoperational stage, the concrete operational stage, and the formal operational stage. To briefly explain each of these children develop the sensorimotor stage from ages 0 – 2 years, Piaget sees language at this stage as more physical where children experiment with their mouths and learn to repeat parents sounds. The pre-operational stage from ages 2 – 7 years, is when children talk more and have the ability to solve problems about stories on specific and concrete facts. The concrete operational stage begins at about age 6 or 7 when children can work things out in their mind and explain their reasoning. The formal operational stage begins at 11 or 12 years when children use abstract reason and can use language to express and discuss things found in subjects such as mathematics or philosophy. Piaget highlights the roles of language in children’s lives by describing the functions of language. (McDevitt, Ormrod, Cupit, Chandler and Aloa, 2013, p. 209 –

    Read More

  • Language Acquisition

    7590 Words  | 16 Pages

    Still today, it is the commonly held belief that children acquire their mother tongue through imitation of the parents, caregivers or the people in their environment. Linguists too had the same conviction until 1957, when a then relatively unknown man, A. Noam Chomsky, propounded his theory that the capacity to acquire language is in fact innate. This revolutionized the study of language acquisition, and after a brief period of controversy upon the publication of his book, Aspects of the Theory of Syntax, in 1964, his theories are now generally accepted as largely true. As a consequence, he was responsible for the emergence of a new field during the 1960s, Developmental Psycholinguistics, which deals with children’s first language acquisition. He was not the first to question our hitherto mute acceptance of a debatable concept – long before, Plato wondered how children could possibly acquire so complex a skill as language with so little experience of life. Experiments have clearly identified an ability to discern syntactical nuances in very young infants, although they are still at the pre-linguistic stage. Children of three, however, are able to manipulate very complicated syntactical sentences, although they are unable to tie their own shoelaces, for example. Indeed, language is not a skill such as many others, like learning to drive or perform mathematical operations – it cannot be taught as such in these early stages. Rather, it is the acquisition of language which fascinates linguists today, and how it is possible. Noam Chomsky turned the world’s eyes to this enigmatic question at a time when it was assumed to have a deceptively simple explanation.

    Read More

  • Piaget's Stages Of Cognitive Development

    1857 Words  | 4 Pages

    Jean Piaget, Lawrence Kohlberg, and Erik Erikson have all determined stages of development which explain how people act and think at different points in their lives. Piaget’s theory determines that there are four stages of cognitive development, consisting of the sensorimotor stage, the preoperational stage, the concrete operational stage, and the formal operational stage. Each of these has an approximate age range and set of characteristics that explain a person’s general cognitive ability at any given age. According to Kohlberg, preconventional morality, conventional morality, and postconventional morality are the three changes in moral reasoning that a person will experience throughout their lifetime. Erikson’s theory focuses on psychosocial

    Read More

More about Theories Of Piaget And Vygotsky's Four Stages Of Cognitive Development

Open Document