Cognitive Development

Human Development and Learning FHT4, 601.2.1-02
Western Governor's University

A. Cognitive Development Theory
Cognitive development theory is basically the study of how people think and process information all the time. It is the concept that as children grow they expand their mental processes and develop many new ways to adapt and accept knowledge and interact in their environment and with others around them. It is defined as being about Human mental (cognitive) development. The first theorist to establish the concept was Dr. Jean Piaget. Another contemporary of his was Dr. Lev Vygotsky. Both men offered new insights into a nascent field of study of how children develop and learn as they grow.

B1. Similarities on the Nature or Development of Intelligence
Piaget believed that childhood played a vital part in a child's development. Children increase their intelligence through active learning and exploring of their world. The child is the center of his or her learning through self discovery. Vygotsky also believed that children actively participate in their own learning and are curious to know more and they do so through social interactions with adults and peers. Both Piaget and Vygotsky agreed that children needed to be in groups with peers and should work together cooperatively. Piaget held to the constructivist view that teaching needs to take into account the stage the child is at and teach to children at their level, but it should be challenging enough to hold their interest. Vygotsky similarly held that children should be taught in groups of mixed ability to allow for the social interaction of apprentice learning from peers that are just ahead of their group members. This is espoused in his Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). Both researchers believed that children over time and with proper exposure