Cognition and PiagetIt is one thing to read about a child‚s cognitive abilities, but it is better to observe them yourself. For this activity, you will need to locate a 3- to 4-year-old and a 5- to 6 year old who are willing to "play some games" with you. Be sure to get permission from their parents before you ask the children to play your games.
1. Classification Task. Using construction paper, cut out an assortment of shapes (circles, squares, and triangles) of different sizes (small, medium, and large) and of different colors (red, yellow, and blue). Mix up the shapes in front of the child and ask the child to make piles of the pieces that go together. (You may want to illustrate the task for the child.) As the child arranges the different groups, note the dimension the child uses to sort the pieces. After finishing, ask the child to name the piles. Then ask the child if there is any other way the shapes can be rearranged, and if so, to go ahead and make new piles. Continue with the task as long as the child has different ways of classifying the objects.
2. Number. Reread the section on conservation of number and refer to Table 7-4 in your book for the arrangement of the coins. Ask the child to tell you whether the rows have the same number of coins, and if not, which row has more. Note the answer for each arrangement depicted in Table 7-4 in your book. Ask the child to tell you why he or she thinks the row selected has more coins.
Compile the answers to the two tasks and describe each child‚s level of understanding. Does the older child perform the tasks differently than the younger? Discuss the implications for their level of cognitive development.
Due January 29th
Discuss
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