Piaget and Vygotsky

Piaget is a Swiss clinical psychologist known for his research on the development of

cognitive skills in children rather than all learners. Piaget developed the theory that learning

occurs in a sequence of stages related to the maturation of the learner and that learning is self-

regulated by learners themselves. (P. 193). He theorized that cognitive development from infant

to young adult occurs in four universal and consecutive stages.

1. The sensorimotor stage, birth to age 2. Memory and symbolic abilities develop.

2. The preoperational stage, age 2 to about age 7. Memory and imagination develop.

3. The concrete operational stage, age 7 to 11. Logical and concrete reasoning develop.

4. The formal operational stage, begins in adolescence and spans into adulthood. Ability

to think abstractly and logically development.

Based on his observations, he concluded that children were not less intelligent than

adults, they simply think differently. In Piaget's view, early cognitive development involves

processes based upon actions and later progresses to changes in mental operations. (P. 193).

Biological constructivism is self-regulated learners constructing their understandings of

the world through a combination of maturation and experience. Piaget theorized that learning

begins when individuals differentiate among various environmental stimuli, allowing the learners

to recognize specific stimuli as new information. (P. 193).

Social Constructivism emphasizes the importance of social interaction and cooperative

learning in constructing both cognitive and emotional images of reality. Vygotskys theory stated

that students learn through social interactions and their culture. Our culture helps shape our

cognition. Vygotskys theory of cognitive development centered on the ideas that social
interaction and imaginative play are large contributors to the process of cognitive development in

children. He also proposed something called the zone of proximal development and the idea of

scaffolding in a childs development. His ideas mean there are some things a child cannot do

independently, but they would be able to do with the assistance of a mentor.

When children go through the stages of cognitive development, it is important to

maintain a balance between applying previous knowledge or assimilation and changing behavior

to account for new knowledge or accommodation. (Cherry, K.). This is one explanation for a

learner to move more quickly in the next stage of cognitive functioning. Equilibration is the final

phase allowing children to move from one stage of thought into the next.

Piaget and Vygotskys research have influenced teachings methods and approaches in

todays classrooms. Both are important to education because they offer explanations for

childrens cognitive learning ability and style. They both provide teachers with suggestions on

how to teach students certain material in a manner that is essential to effective learning. Their

approaches can help teachers understand how students at various levels learn differently through

guidance in an effective, challenging and positive environment. While deciding which theory to

follow in teaching, it is most important to take an active role in the education of the students and

create a positive learning environment.

 Works Cited:

Cherry, K. (n.d.). The 4 Stages of Cognitive Development in Children. Retrieved March 27,

2017, from https://www.verywell.com/piagets-stages-of-cognitive-development-2795457

Comparing Piaget and Vygotsky. (n.d.). Retrieved March 27, 2017, from

http://www2.education.uiowa.edu/html/eportfolio/tep/07p075folder/Piaget_Vygotsky.htm

Raymond, E. B. (2012). Learners with mild disabilities: a characteristics approach. Boston:

Pearson. (P.191-223)