Theory of Cognitive Development

The Theory of Cognitive Development, proposed by Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget, outlines how children's thinking evolves in stages as they mature. It identifies four key stages: sensorimotor (birth to 2 years) where infants learn through senses and actions; preoperational (2 to 7 years) marked by symbolic thinking but egocentrism; concrete operational (7 to 11 years) where logical reasoning develops with concrete objects; and formal operational (12 years and up) where abstract thinking becomes possible. This theory emphasizes that children actively construct knowledge through interaction with their environment and experiences, shaping their understanding of the world.