Cognitive Development “Cognitive Development always takes place within a social and cultural context.” Vygotsky believed that cognitive development is strongly influenced by social and cultural factors. Vygotsky agreed with Piaget that children may be able to reach a particular cognitive level through their own efforts. However, Vygotsky (1978, 1987) argued that children are able to attain higher levels of cognitive development through the support and instruction that they receive from other people. Researchers have confirmed that social interaction, especially with older children and adults, play a significant role in a child’s cognitive development. One of Vygotsky’s important ideas was his notion of the Zone of proximal development (ZPD).
The first core belief is the concept of the autonomous, responsible and rational adult. Mezirow believed that the goal of transformational learning is “to gain the crucial sense of agency over ourselves and our lives" that is often associated with individuals reflecting on a dysfunctional operational system or company policy, and taking action to change it. A second core belief relates to knowledge creation that is constructivist. Human beings are active participants in the process of making meaning and are the creators of knowledge and hence engage in critical reflection. The pre-conditions that satiate the concept are full information, the ability to objectively evaluate arguments and freedom from self-deception or coercion.
Summary The theory behind adult learning and the principles used gives you an understanding of what and how to motivate adults to learn. There clearly is a huge difference in children and adults learning patterns. Learning as an adult can be self motivated, peer motivated, or motivated by the desire to excel in today’s job market. The theory elaborated upon in these articles gives you an up close look at the learning capacity of an adult versus a child and timeline when learning becomes challenging. Article 1 highlighted several theories of adult learning.
Critically review the contribution and influence of psychological theories to early Childhood education and Care curriculum development and childcare practitioner working practices. Throughout this essay I am going to discuss the cognitive development theories of Piaget and Vygotsky. These two theorists were influential in forming a scientific approach to analysing the development process involved in cognition. Cognition is the procedure involved in thinking and mental activity, such as problem solving, memory and attention (Flanagan, 1999, p.72). Both theorists said that a child’s cognitive development took places in stages but the way in which these theorists described the way children go through these stages was completely different.
Sensitive parenting is the most important factor in a child’s psychological development – discuss This essay will explore the concept of sensitive parenting and will look at how the dynamic interactions between parent and child inform Attachment Theory a model which measures child development. This model, pioneered by Bowlby is posited within the principles of a psychoanalytic and biological perspective (Bee, H.L., 2000). Child attachment can be classified into two main types, secure and insecure, by using a standard laboratory assessment known as the “Strange Situation” developed by Ainsworth, insecure attachment was divided further into sub groups, ambivalent and avoidant (Ding, S. & Littleton, K. 2005). Whilst discussing attachment theory which utilises the concept of an internal working model other approaches in terms of understanding how parenting affects child development will be explored. Theoretical positions such as social learning theory which lies heavily on behaviourist principles will be looked at, parenting styles where patterns of parenting will be discussed and inter-generational transmission which serves to perpetuate society’s inequalities and disadvantages with negative connotations for a child’s psychological development (Ding, S. & Littleton, K. 2005).
Social Learning Theory and Child Development Name: Institution: Social Learning Theory and Child Development Albert Bandura is the theorist who proposed the social learning theory, which has become one of the most significant theories of human learning and development. He believed that direct reinforcement cannot explain all categories of learning. This theory added a new component, holding that individuals can learn new behaviors, values, and information through watching other individuals. Modeling or observational learning can be utilized in explaining a range of human behavior (Akers, 2009). Bandura holds that behavior is learnt through observational learning process from the environment.
The Cognitive-Developmental approach of Piaget and Kohlberg studies how children become more able to reason morally and make moral judgements, whereas the Freud's psychodynamic approach is more concerned with the development of the conscience and moral feelings such as guilt and anxiety. The social learning theory of Bandura investigates the development of moral behaviour and how role models in the family, society and the media, influence it. Jean Piaget is recognised as the pioneer researcher of moral development in children. His cognitive developmental approach to morality begins with the assumption that the child's mind has its own structure. Piaget, 1934 (Gross, 2000 pg.550) assumed that this structure was unique within each child and proceeded through a precise sequence or order.
Critical reflection blends learning through experience with theoretical and technical learning to form new knowledge constructions and new behaviors or insights. Learning by critical reflection creates new understandings by making conscious the social, political, professional, economic, and ethical assumptions constraining or supporting one’s action in a specific context (Ecclestone 1996; Mackintosh 1998). Critical reflection’s appeal as an adult learning strategy lies in the claim of intellectual growth and improvement in one’s ability to see the need for and effect personal and system change. Reflection can be a learning tool for directing and informing practice, choosing among alternatives in a practice setting, or transforming and reconstructing the social environment (Williamson 1997). Can critical reflection be taught in a classroom?
THE CORRELATION BETWEEN EARLY CHILDHOOD AND THEORIES OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT Many of the most important theories of human development in the 20th century stress the role of early childhood. Specifically, the work of Erik Erikson, Lev Vygotsky and Jean Piaget all, in their different schemes of development, note the importance of early childhood experiences. Features 1. All major theories of human development stress the movement from grasping concrete things, which the child perceives as symbols, to abstraction, which involves coming to conclusions using logic; this occurs roughly from toddlerhood to fourth or fifth grade. The issues of each stage in human development differ not so much in kind but in the degree of complexity.
The theory has been used to explain mental processes as they are influenced by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors, which eventually bring about learning in an individual. Cognitive Learning Theory implies that the different processes concerning learning can be explained by analyzing the mental processes first. It posits that with effective cognitive processes, learning is easier and new information can be stored in the memory for a long time. On the other hand, ineffective cognitive processes result to learning difficulties that can be seen anytime during the lifetime of an individual. A.