Application Of The Theory To The Classroom/Teaching

In light of Piaget’s theory in the classroom, teachers can develop a better understanding of the students’ thinking by arranging their teaching strategies according to the students’ cognitive level. Some of the major implications from the cognitive development theory include focusing on the process of children's thinking rather than the product, recognising the child’s role of active involvement in learning activities and accepting individual differences in the stages of different developmental stages as they progress (Slavin, 2005).

Additionally, while applying the cognitive development theory in the teaching, it is important for teachers to act as facilitators of learning and provide a variety of experiences for students so that it gives the opportunity for them to explore and experiment, while encouraging new understandings (Wood, 2008).

Furthermore, some of the general suggestions while applying the cognitive development theory in the classroom include teaching using visual aids, using examples that students are already aware to explain complex ideas, giving opportunities for children to classify & group information, use outlines & hierarchies to facilitate assimilation of new information with prior knowledge and presenting problems that require logical analytical thinking to students (Lefrancois, 2006).