Piaget's moral development theory (Jean Piaget)

Jean Piaget’s moral development theory suggests that children's understanding of rules and morality evolves through two main stages. In the first stage ("heteronomous morality"), typically around ages 4-7, children see rules as fixed and unchangeable, dictated by authority figures. As they grow older, they enter the "autonomous morality" stage (around age 8 and up), where they understand rules are social constructions that can be agreed upon and changed through mutual consent. This development reflects increasing cognitive abilities, moral reasoning, and understanding of fairness, enabling children to balance respect for rules with a sense of justice and empathy.