Child Development Theories & Pedagogical Influences
Cognitive Development Theories
Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory
Sensorimotor Stage (0-24 months)
- Substage 1 (0-1 month)
- Substage 2 (1-4 months)
- Substage 3 (4-8 months)
- Substage 4 (8-12 months)
- Substage 5 (12-18 months)
- Substage 6 (18-24 months)
Preoperational Stage (2-7 years)
- Preconceptual Thinking (2-4 years)
- Intuitive Thinking (4-7 years)
Criticisms of Piaget’s Theory
- Limited attention to individual knowledge and internal processes.
Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory
Assumptions
- Social and historical factors are relevant in cognitive development.
- Language plays a crucial role in the development of thought.
Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory
Assumptions
- Child’s development is influenced by their surrounding environment.
- Physical and social aspects of the environment form interconnected systems.
Knowledge Acquisition and Development
Conception of Knowledge
Knowledge encompasses instructional, social, moral, affective, motor, and physical aspects.
Characteristics
- Individuality
- Influence of past and present experiences
- Knowledge is not acquired in a vacuum
Understanding the Physical and Social World
Knowledge of the world is formed through physical and social experiences.
Historical Positions
- Piaget: Physical and social knowledge are intertwined.
- Delval: Fundamental cognitive processes exist, but specific processes may differ.
Knowledge Evolution in Children
0-2 Years
- Knowledge acquisition through sensory experiences.
- Important role of adults.
- Language development through interactions.
2-6 Years
- Emergence of symbolic thinking.
- Language as a regulatory function and instrument for mental and social interaction.
- Development of attention, memory, and problem-solving skills.
- Gradual shift from egocentrism.
Observation and Exploration
Observation and Exploration Concepts
Observation as a process of internalizing reality. Exploration as a means of discovering knowledge.
Natural and Social World
Understanding the differences between living and non-living things, natural phenomena, and social contexts.
Genesis and Formation of Concepts
Principal Conceptions on Concept Formation
- Representations based on defining features.
- Probabilistic representations.
- Theory-based representations.
Genesis and Formation of Some Concepts
- Concept of object: Constructing the object as an entity separate from the action.
- Concept of space.
- Concept of time (abstract and difficult to achieve).
- Concept of number.
- Concept of mind (theory of mind).
Influence of Pedagogical Theory
Pedagogical Theory
European cultural movement of the 18th century (Rousseau, Pestalozzi). New School pedagogical movement (Froebel, Decroly, Montessori, Agazzi sisters, Freinet, Ferrer y Guardia).
Psychological Currents
- Learning Theories: Conditioning, Gestalt, Piaget’s genetic psychology, Bruner’s scaffolding theory, Ausubel’s meaningful learning theory, Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, information processing, schema theory, evolutionary theory.
- Psychoanalytic Theory: Freud, Wallon.
Wallon’s Current Vision and Contributions
Psychopedagogical Principles
- Socialization in cognitive and affective dimensions.
- Individualization (not individualism).
- Importance of investigative processes in the classroom.
- Creating interactive and developmentally rich school contexts.
- Teacher’s mediating role in child development.
- Research on the hidden curriculum.
- Globalization as an approach.
Renovating Relevant Experience
Revivalist Movements
Movements in Spain aiming to:
- Facilitate the creation of quality public schools.
- Integrate schools into the sociocultural environment.
- Support teacher collaboration.
- Promote complementary and alternative approaches.
Publications
Examples: Cuadernos de Pedagogía, Children and Learning, Research in School, Kiriki, Notebooks of Educational Cooperation.
The Comprehensive Approach
Globalized forms of work, interest-centered learning, recreation, research methodologies, globalized context, work projects.
Experiences and Innovative Means
Examples: Constructivist method of literacy, introduction of extracurricular activities, use of technology in education.
Critical Appraisal
Limitations of Theories
- Criticisms of Piaget’s theory: Focus on mental structures, ongoing development beyond adolescence.
- Criticisms of conditioning theories: Mechanistic view of learning, reduction to basic impulses, ignoring intentionality.