Now that I have told you about the stages of development, I would like to describe what I believe a Piaget inspired classroom looks like. For all of the uni students reading this, this basically will answer all your questions as to how can Piaget’s theory help you, as you will be able to see how to link theory to practise (if they have not been answered as of yet). As mentioned earlier, Piaget does believe that development happens progressively, irrespective of other factors however we as teachers can provide environments that support each child’s scheme making process.
A Piaget inspired classroom should firstly be developmentally appropriate. By this I mean that “there should be an optimal match between the developmental stage of the child and the logical properties of the materials to be learnt” (McInerney & McInerney, 2002, p.38). Therefore teachers should have a thorough knowledge of each stage and an understanding of what types of mental processes to focus and extend on. The activities and lessons run by each teacher should be enriched in hands on, open ended, child initiated components in which children have the opportunity to discuss their new experiences with their peers. This way, children “will discover through these interactions the way the world works” (Snowman, et al., 2009, p.36). The teacher, in a Piaget inspired classroom should be merely an organiser and a support network as teachers should “set up a rich environment for children to explore by themselves” (Tzuo, 2007, p.33).
The last thing I would like to mention is the motivation and discipline out look of a Piaget inspired classroom. This type of a classroom should be one in which being positive and constantly aiming to develop high levels of motivation should be paramount as children will therefore want to learn. To do this, teachers should “minimise focus on errors and highlight positive achievements, which increase productive and creative thinking" (Moseley & Baumfield & Elliot & Gregson & Higgins & Newton, 2005). Children will therefore ultimately “develop a real interest” (McInerney & McInerney, 2002, p.39) in learning.
A Piaget inspired classroom should firstly be developmentally appropriate. By this I mean that “there should be an optimal match between the developmental stage of the child and the logical properties of the materials to be learnt” (McInerney & McInerney, 2002, p.38). Therefore teachers should have a thorough knowledge of each stage and an understanding of what types of mental processes to focus and extend on. The activities and lessons run by each teacher should be enriched in hands on, open ended, child initiated components in which children have the opportunity to discuss their new experiences with their peers. This way, children “will discover through these interactions the way the world works” (Snowman, et al., 2009, p.36). The teacher, in a Piaget inspired classroom should be merely an organiser and a support network as teachers should “set up a rich environment for children to explore by themselves” (Tzuo, 2007, p.33).
The last thing I would like to mention is the motivation and discipline out look of a Piaget inspired classroom. This type of a classroom should be one in which being positive and constantly aiming to develop high levels of motivation should be paramount as children will therefore want to learn. To do this, teachers should “minimise focus on errors and highlight positive achievements, which increase productive and creative thinking" (Moseley & Baumfield & Elliot & Gregson & Higgins & Newton, 2005). Children will therefore ultimately “develop a real interest” (McInerney & McInerney, 2002, p.39) in learning.
