Discussion on the different stages of Piaget, Erikson, and Kohlberg and examples of using them
The stages of Piaget Cognitive Development are four, Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development has eight stages, while Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development are six:
The stages of Piaget, Erikson, and Kohlberg theories, and examples of using in primary school
Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory
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The stages of Piaget Cognitive Development are:
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Sensorimotor period (birth to 1 year).
Preoperational period (2- 5 years).
Concrete Operational (7- 10 years).
Formal operational (11- 18 years).
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Theory focus: Piaget created a cognitive-developmental stage theory that described how children's ways of thinking developed as they interacted with the world around them. Infants and young children understand the world much differently than adults do, and as they play and explore, their mind learns how to think in ways that better fit with reality.
The example in primary school: Concrete Operational stage in primary school, child can develop mental representations of things and logical thought based on the use of real "concrete" objects such as actual people, places and things, thus; they are able to solve "what if" scenarios. A child at this age become capable of mastering addition and subtraction and similar operations, child can tell you if he eats one apple out of a plate containing 6, that there will be five remain on the plate, the child in this case develop the solution by linking his thoughts to the concrete objects to solve “what if” problem.
Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Theory
The stages of Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial development are:
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Trust vs. Mistrust (birth to 18 months)
Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt (18 months -3 years)
Initiative vs. Guilt (3-5 years)
Industry vs. Inferiority (5-13 years)
Identity vs. Role Confusion (13-21 years)
Intimacy vs. Isolation (21-39 years), young adulthood
Generativity vs. Stagnation (40-65 years), middle adulthood
Integrity vs. Despair (65 years and older), older adulthood
Theory focus: Erikson's theory explains what types of stimulation children need to master in each stage and become productive and well-adjusted members of society and explains the types of problems and developmental delays that can result when this stimulation does not occur.
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The example in primary school: Industry vs. Inferiority stage in primary school encourages teachers to orient the children to positive values which leading to production, for example: introducing school and classroom rules and regulation to the children to achieve the success.
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In contrast, the teacher should not criticize the child and putting him down “Inferiority” due to lack of meaningful success. Even more; children should be protected from bullying and teasing by peer group since such these actions reinforces feelings of the inferiority. Further; Child can recognize major disparities in personal abilities relative to other children. Erikson places some emphasis on the teacher, who should ensure that children do not feel inferior.
Kohlberg’s Moral Development Theory
The stages of Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development are:
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Level one: Preconventional Moral reasoning, this level consists of two stages: 1- Obedience and Punishment Orientation “might makes right” (2-4 years). 2- Instrumental Orientation “look out for number one” (4-7 years).
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Level two: Conventional Moral reasoning, this level consists of two stages: 1- Good Interpersonal Relationships “good girl, nice boy” (7-10 years). 2- Maintaining the Social Order “law and order” (10-12 years).
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Level three: Postconventional Moral reasoning, this level consists of two stages: 1- Mutual Benefits to All, obey society’s rules “social contract” (Teens). 2- Universal Ethical Principles, “Principled conscience” (Adults).
Theory focus: Kohlberg described the process through which people learn to discriminate right from wrong and to develop increasingly sophisticated appreciations of morality. He believed that his stages were cumulative; each built off understanding and abilities gained in prior stages. According to Kohlberg, moral development is a lifelong task, and many people fail to develop the more advanced stages of moral understanding.
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The example in primary school: As educators, we used to set school and class rooms rules and regulations, we have to bear in mind that not all children will function the discipline on the same level, accordingly, based on the Kohlberg Moral Development, students at stage one behave appropriately to avoid punishment. At stage two, students behave to earn rewards. The teachers can invest using these stages to create a positive and constructive learning environment.
