Description

This lecture focuses on comparison of three cognitive theories – the theories of Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky and Reuven Feuerstein. There are some common elements in these theories, such as a belief in the centrality of cognition in child development, the emphasis on mental actions, and understanding of cognition as a structured system rather than a collection of separate skills. At the same time there are also significant differences with Piagetian theory emphasizing direct interaction between children and their environment, Feuerstein’s theory focusing on the role of adults as mediators of children’s learning, and Vygotskian theory exploring children’s acquisition of symbolic tools and the development of higher cognitive functions shaped by the internalization these tools.