Piaget Application to Education (Key Theory)

• What does Piaget's theory suggest about teaching children?

  Children must be biologically 'ready' to learn.
• Why should activities be age-appropriate according to Piaget?

  To match children's biological readiness for learning
• How should teachers facilitate learning according to Piaget's theory?

  By allowing children to discover concepts themselves
• What is the role of schemas in Piaget's educational approach?

  They are challenged to promote assimilation and accommodation
• How do children progress through developmental stages according to Piaget?

  In the same order but at different rates
• What activities are suitable for each of Piaget's developmental stages?

  • Sensorimotor stage: Sensory experiments for motor coordination
  • Pre-operational stage: Role play games to reduce egocentricity
  • Concrete operational stage: Manipulating concrete materials, cooking
  • Formal operational stage: Scientific experiments and group discussions
• What is a strength of Piaget's theory in education?

  It has positively impacted education in the UK
• How has Piaget's theory changed educational approaches?

  It promoted a child-centred, activity-based approach
• What is a weakness of Piaget's theory regarding practice?

  It suggests practice does not improve performance
• What did Bryant and Trabasso suggest about children's thinking?

  It can develop earlier with enough practice
• What is a criticism of discovery learning according to Bennett?

  Formal teaching methods work best for certain subjects
• Which subjects did Bennett find benefit from formal teaching methods?

  Maths, reading, and English
• What does Bennett's finding suggest about education delivery?

  Some content is best taught through direct instruction