0.3 Theories/approaches to learning  (Page 2/12)

How Piaget's Theory Impacts Learning

Curriculum - Educators must plan a developmentally-appropriate curriculum that enhances their students'logical and conceptual growth.

Instruction - Teachers must emphasize the critical role that experiences - or interactions with the surroundingenvironment - play in student learning.

Erik erikson's developmental stages

Psychoanalyst Erik Erikson describes the physical, emotional, and psychological stages of human development, and relatesspecific issues, or developmental work or tasks to each stage.

Infant (Trust vs. Mistrust)

Needs maximum comfort with minimal uncertainty to trust himself/herself, others, and the environment. It is essential tocreate an atmosphere of care - a sense that a child feels as if s/he exists in the world and is valuable.

Toddler (Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt)

Works to master physical environment while maintaining self-esteem. Here, the toddler wants to be a whole person,ready to take on the world and moves past immediate rewards and punishments. This is the beginning of the child's realizing that s/he is a person that hasrights. It is essential, at this stage, to give some choices while ensuring that rules are followed and that adults are in charge. The child will makesome unsafe gestures, so it is important for caregivers to be vigilant.

Preschooler (Initiative vs. Guilt)

Begins to initiate, not imitate, activities; develops conscience and sexual identity. S/he realizes that s/he can beginan activity, not just be told what to do. The child begins to make some sense of "right" and "wrong." It is important to talk with the child calmly and withreason in the process of helping her/him develop a sense of moral judgment.

School-Age Child (Industry vs. Inferiority)

Tries to develop a sense of self-worth by refining skills. A school-age child learns to distinguish between himself and theothers in terms of judgment. What am I good at? How am I doing? It is here that the child begins to try different activities to test some theories about whos/he is. It is important to provide an atmosphere of trust, experimentation, and praise for accomplishments, while minimizing competition between students where the result is lowered self esteem. Tryto bolster the confidence of ALL students.

Adolescent (Identity vs. Role Confusion)

Tries integrating many roles (child, sibling, student, athlete, worker) into a self-image, taking into considerationother adults and other adolescents. Around the world, adolescence is not an easy task. It is a time of resistance against parents and teachers in order todistinguish oneself. Risk-taking can be much more dangerous. The role of identity is crucial, here, and it is important for students to see theconsequences of their behavior, rather than to protect them from life. At the same time, their intellectual abilities are blossoming, and so it isquite important to respect the intelligences of adolescents. Finally, provide them opportunities that stir their hearts - such as service. Theresults will be a vital, active, interested young person who stands behind her/his beliefs and who tries hard.