Developing and Learning - Piagets and Vygotskys Theories Essay

Introduction. In this assignment the writer will compare and contrast the theories of Piaget and Vygotsky. To begin, the writer will discuss Piaget's theory of cognitive development, followed by Vygotsky's theory of cognitive development. The writer will then discuss any implications of Piaget's and Vygotsky's models for teaching and learning in the school years. In order to do this she will compare the two theories and look at any relevant evidence and research. After comparing both theories of cognitive development, the writer will do a brief summary of the two theories. Concluding her findings and how the two theories contrast each other. Piaget's Theory. Jean Piaget (1896 - 1980) looked at how children reason and think. He looked at whether children see and make sense of the world in the same way that adults do. Piaget's theory explores how children's thought processes change with development. Piaget's theory identifies four developmental stages which are sensori-motor stage, preoperational stage, concrete operations and formal operations (Smith, Cowie, Blades. 2011 P.392). He believed that children's thought processes develop as they progress through these developmental stages. During the first stage, sensori-motor, which occurs from birth to around two years, a child, just deals with what is presented to them. Everything revolves around any direct experiences. During this developmental stage, children learn the concept of object permanence (Smith, Cowie, Blades. 2011 P.395). This is where an object continues to exist even if it is out of the child?s sight. According to Piaget?s theory, it would seem that infants need to be aware of object permanence before language or symbolic communication is possible. Th... ...ories, as she feels it is important to her role as a teaching assistant and finds it interesting how individual?s learn in different ways. Works Cited Lefrancois, G.R. (2006). Theories of Human Learning. Belmont, CA: Thomson Higher Education. Peter K. Smith, Helen Cowie, Mark Blades. (2011) "Understanding Children's Development" Wiley-Blackwell; 5 edition. Raymond, E. (2000). Cognitive Characteristics. Learners with Mild Disabilities (pp. 169–201). Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon, A Pearson Education Company. Slavin, R.E. (2005). Educational psychology: theory and practice. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon. Wood, K.C. (2008). Piaget's Stages. Department of Educational Psychology and Instrutional Technology, University of Georgia Web. 27 May 2015. http://projects.coe.uga.edu/eplt /index.php?title=Piaget%27s_Stages#Educational_Implications