Cognitive development is a developmental theory by Jean Piaget who was a stage theorist. Cognitive developmentalist examine learning, memory, problem –solving skills, and intelligence (Feldman, 2017).
Piaget’s cognitive development theory has four stages and it includes Sensorimotor, Preoperational, Concrete Operational and Formal Operational (Cherry, 2018). Sensorimotor: First stage is from 0 to 2 years old. During this stage, we are just trying to experience the world around us through senses (sight, hearing, tasting, smelling and touching). Preoperational: The second stage is from 2 to 6 years old. During this stage, we are ready to start to use words (Trying to put sentences together).
We draw images to represent things. However, during this stage, we lack logical reasoning. Concrete Operational: The third stage is from 7 to 11 years old. At this stage, we start to understand concrete events and be able to comprehend things better. Formal Operational: The fourth and last stage is from 12 years and up.
At this stage, we are able to utilize abstract reasoning.
