Developmental Psychology
Piaget's Stages of Cognitive Development
A foundational theory describing how children construct mental models of the world through four distinct stages.
Stage Overview
- Sensorimotor (0-2 years): Object permanence developed through sensory experience.
- Preoperational (2-7 years): Symbolic thinking and language use; egocentrism is prevalent.
- Concrete Operational (7-11 years): Logical thought about concrete events; mastery of conservation.
- Formal Operational (12+ years): Abstract reasoning and hypothetical thinking.
Nursing Applications
- Assess developmental milestones against established norms.
- Use concrete explanations for children in the preoperational stage.
- Encourage abstract discussions and future-planning for adolescent patients.
- Recognize that hospitalization may trigger temporary regression in children.
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