Ever wondered why kids see the world so differently from adults? Jean Piaget, a Swiss psychologist, had a theory that explained just that. His famous Piaget’s stages of development break down how children grow, think, and learn over time.
Who Was Jean Piaget?
Jean Piaget wasn’t originally a psychologist—he actually started out studying biology. Over time, he became fascinated with how children learn and process information. Instead of just focusing on behavior, he wanted to understand why children think the way they do.
A fun fact: Piaget once worked at Alfred Binet’s lab, the same Binet who helped create the first IQ test. But Piaget wasn’t interested in test scores alone—he wanted to dig deeper into the stages of thought.
The Four Piaget’s Stages of Development
Piaget believed that children don’t just learn more facts as they grow—they actually change how they think. He divided this growth into four key stages.
Sensorimotor Stage (Birth to 2 Years)
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Babies experience the world through senses and movement.
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They learn that objects still exist even if they can’t see them—this is called object permanence.
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Fun fact: Before learning object permanence, a baby will think a toy “disappeared” when you hide it under a blanket.
Preoperational Stage (2 to 7 Years)
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Children start using symbols, like words and pictures, to represent objects.
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Imagination runs wild—this is the stage of pretend play.
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But, they still struggle with perspective-taking (they may assume everyone sees the world exactly as they do).
Concrete Operational Stage (7 to 11 Years)
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Kids become more logical, but their logic is tied to concrete objects and experiences.
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They understand concepts like conservation (knowing that liquid in a tall glass and short glass is still the same amount).
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Problem-solving improves, but abstract ideas are still tricky.
Formal Operational Stage (12 Years and Up)
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Teenagers and adults develop the ability to think abstractly.
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They can imagine “what if” scenarios, debate ideas, and think scientifically.
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Fun fact: This is when people start forming strong opinions and asking big life questions.
Why Piaget’s Theory Still Matters
Even though Piaget’s work began in the early 20th century, it’s still one of the cornerstones of developmental psychology. Teachers often use his stages to shape how they design lessons for different age groups.
Some key takeaways:
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Learning is a process of discovery, not just memorization.
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Children need hands-on experiences to truly understand concepts.
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Development happens in stages, but the ages can vary from child to child.
Personal Insight
When I first read about Piaget’s stages, I immediately thought about my younger cousins. One insisted the moon was following us in the car (classic preoperational thinking), while another carefully measured cups of water to prove they were equal (concrete operational). It’s fascinating to see theory come alive in everyday life.
Wrapping It Up
Piaget’s stages of development give us a clear roadmap of how children grow into critical thinkers. From sensory exploration as babies to abstract reasoning as teens, each stage has its own unique milestones.
Have you ever noticed a child doing something that perfectly matches one of Piaget’s stages? Share your story in the comments—I’d love to hear it!