Piaget and Vygotsky's Theories

Question 1

Piaget’s Theory

Answer 1

Argued that cognitive and language developments happen at the same time.
Four stages:
- Sensorimotor Stage: sensations, development of object permanence
- Preoperational Stage: Egocentric perception, 2-5 years old, more definite terms but in relation to self
- Concrete operational stage: 5-11/12 years old, situations outside immediate experience
- Formal operational stage: abstract ideas, 12+

Question 2

Vygotsky’s theory

Answer 2

Vygotsky’s theory suggests that each stage builds upon the previous ones, and he believed that adults learn from observing children. He also believed that children learn through play, and that play is a form of sociocultural learning. His work has become an integral part of contemporary psychology
Says language acts as a stimulus to cognitive development, as opposed to Piaget’s approach of language development being purely due to cognitive development.
Scaffolding and parent involvement immensely important, bridges gap between child and parent language ability.