Module 03: Cognitive Development

Description: How do children make sense of their world, and how does thinking evolve from infancy through adulthood? This module examines major theories of cognitive development, focusing on Piaget’s stage theory and Vygotsky’s sociocultural perspective. We’ll explore how children’s thinking evolves from concrete to more abstract forms, and how social interactions shape cognitive growth. We’ll also discuss current views that build upon and challenge these classic theories, connecting developmental principles to adult cognitive processes.

Why This Module is Important: Understanding cognitive development is crucial for effective counseling practice across the lifespan. Therapists use this knowledge to assess cognitive functioning at different developmental stages, design age-appropriate interventions, and understand how early cognitive experiences shape adult thinking patterns. This developmental perspective helps counselors recognize how clients’ cognitive capabilities may influence their ability to engage in different therapeutic approaches. Beyond counseling, these principles guide educational practices for learners of all ages, inform user interface design that accommodates different cognitive capabilities, and help artificial intelligence developers create systems that model human cognitive growth. This knowledge helps you understand how thinking develops and changes throughout life.

Module Learning Objectives: By the end of this module students will be able to…

• MLO1: Compare Piaget’s and Vygotsky’s theories of cognitive development and their implications for understanding adult cognition. (CLO1, CLO2, ULO1, ULO3, APA1, APA2)
• MLO2: Explain how children’s thinking changes across developmental periods and how these changes relate to adult cognitive processes. (CLO1, CLO3, ULO1, ULO3, APA1, APA4)
• MLO3: Evaluate research supporting and challenging major cognitive development theories, considering their applications to adult cognition. (CLO2, CLO4, ULO1, ULO3, APA2, APA4)