The infographic is divided into two sections namely Piaget’s four stages of cognitive development; How do we assess a child’s stage of cognitive development? Piaget developed techniques to test characteristic capabilities associated with each stage.
The introductory text reads as follows; Jean Piaget proposed that children’s cognitive development occurs in stages characterized by particular cognitive abilities. These stages have distinct beginnings and endings.
An upper section shows each stage as a stack of building blocks - stage one has one block, stage two has two blocks, stage three has three blocks, and stage four has four blocks.
The lower section is made up of text explaining how a child’s stage of cognitive development is assessed.
Stage one is the Sensorimotor stage, which occurs from birth to 2 years. The attached text explains that in the sensorimotor stage, the child uses sensory capabilities and motor activities to learn about the world, and develops object permanence. A photo beside shows a toddler with hands covering the face. Stage one is assessed using the object permanence test, for which text explains; Does the child realize objects continue to exist when they are hidden? Infants who have developed object permanence will search for an object. Above this text is a photo of a baby seated by a table, with a divider on it. On the other side of the divider, hidden from view, is a teddy bear.
Stage two is the pre-operational stage, which occurs from 2 to 7 years of age. The attached text explains that in the pre-operational stage, the child uses symbolic thinking to explore and understand the world. Children at this stage are known for magical thinking and egocentrism. Beside the text is a photo of a small girl with a dummy stethoscope over the chest of a teddy bear. Text in the lower section explains that the Three mountains task tests egocentrism. Can the child imagine a perspective different than her own? What would you see if you were standing at Point B? Above this text is a three-dimensional illustration of three mountains on a rectangular plane. The four sides of the plane are labeled A, B, C, and D, respectively.
Stage three is the concrete operational stage, which occurs from 7 to 11 years. The attached text reads, Child understands operations and thinks more logically in reference to concrete objects and circumstances. A photo beside shows a boy pouring water into a bowl. Text in the lower section explains that the Conservation of volume test assesses understanding of operations. Does a child understand that the amount of liquid remains constant when it is poured into a container with a different shape? Above this text is an image of a girl looking at two differently shaped containers, each with liquids in them.
Stage four is the formal operational stage, which occurs from 11 years of age and up. The attached text reads, Child is now able to think logically and systematically and is capable of hypothetical thinking. A photo beside shows a girl writing on a board. Text in the lower section explains that the Third eye task tests formal operational thought. If you had a third eye, where would you put it? Children at this stage come up with logical, innovative answers.