• Which one of Piaget’s stages of intellectual development would the behavior described fall into?
• How would knowledge about that stage help you in resolving the situation?
Scenario #1
A child snaps two duplo blocks together and walks around making shooting sounds while pointing it at his friends. I think its Preoperational Stage.
Scenario #2
You are discussing the weather with the children in your room and ask them what would happen if they went outside when it was raining. One child says, “You would get wet” and another child says, “I wouldn’t get wet, because I always use my umbrella". The two children begin to argue about who is right.
You're right about the first scenario. What about the second?
thanks Ms. Sue. the 2nd one i think its Concrete Operational Stage?
You're welcome, Amy.
Your second answer is right.
thanks again :)
Based on the behavior described in Scenario #1, where a child snaps two Duplo blocks together and engages in pretend play by making shooting sounds and pointing at friends, it does align with Piaget's Preoperational Stage of intellectual development.
During the Preoperational Stage, which typically occurs between the ages of 2 to 7 years, children show significant progress in symbolic thinking and imaginative play. They are able to use objects as symbols and engage in pretend play, such as pretending that blocks are guns. They also begin to understand and use more complex language.
Now, let's move on to Scenario #2. The argument between the two children about getting wet in the rain and the use of an umbrella can be related to Piaget's Concrete Operational Stage of intellectual development.
In the Concrete Operational Stage, which typically occurs between the ages of 7 to 11 years, children start to demonstrate logical and concrete thinking. They develop the ability to understand conservation (that quantities remain the same despite changes in appearance) and can engage in more logical problem-solving. They also begin to understand cause and effect.
In this situation, knowledge about the Concrete Operational Stage can help you resolve the argument between the two children by encouraging them to think logically and find a mutually acceptable solution. You can guide them to discuss the concept of using an umbrella and how it can prevent getting wet from rain. Through this discussion, they may reach the understanding that using an umbrella can indeed protect one from getting wet, but it is not a foolproof solution, as rain can still make them wet from other angles or if the umbrella is not used correctly.
By applying the principles of the Concrete Operational Stage, you can help the children understand that both perspectives can be valid to some extent, and foster their ability to reason and consider multiple possibilities.