JEAN PIAGET, An Acclaimed Child Psychologist

The Swiss psychologist and genetic epistemologist, Jean Piaget is the most famously known for his theory of cognitive and intellectual development that looked at how children develop throughout the journey of childhood. He was born August 9, 1896, in the city of Neuchâtel, Switzerland. Jean Piaget is well known for his research in the field of Genetic Epistemology, the theory of cognitive development, and egocentric.

Jean Piaget is an indispensable part of the study of childhood. He was also acting as director of the INTERNATIONAL BUREAU OF EDUCATION. “only education is capable of saving our societies. From possible collapse, whether violent or gradual.” – Jean Piaget

Piaget’s interest in mollusks took him to the local museum of natural history, where he glared at specimens for hours over there.

His Contributions and Developmental Works

He started working with Sir Simon at Alfred Binet Laboratory in Paris in 1920. He evaluated and analysed the standardised reasoning tests. The aim of these tests was to measure a child’s intelligence. The tests were in a manner in which one can compare and measure a child’s intelligence with his corresponding age.

It gave Piaget a new direction and later he decided to work on the theory of Children’s reactivity to a particular subject. He further outdid himself by doing and receiving a doctorate in Zoology in 1918. 

Intellectual and Functional Development

He was more keen to work in the field of Natural Sciences. But, later he got interested in Psychology during the 1920s. He started observing his own children for later theories for other stories in general.

His Contribution (Stages Of Cognitive Development )

His research and theory of stages of cognitive development acquires 4 stages

1. The Sensorimotor Stage
2. The Preoperational Stage
3. The Concrete Operational Stage
4. The Formal Operational Stage

Further , these stages are as follows in chronological order

(1) The sensorimotor stage:  This stage starts with birth and lasts till the age of 2. Children can only learn through hand movements and gestures.

(2) The preoperational stage:  This stage lasts till the age of seven. Children start replicating and learning through languages and plays.

(3) The concrete operational stage: The third stage which is The Concrete Operational Stage. This stage starts from the age of 7 and lasts till 11. During this stage,  a child learns to think logically and practically. Also, he can struggle with abstract thinking and feelings.

(4) The formal operational stage: In the fourth and final stage of cognitive development, children start thinking  and become more self-reliant.

“The principle goal of education in the schools should be creating men and women. They should be capable of doing new things, not simply repeating what other generations have done.” – Jean Piaget