Child Interview: Applying Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development - Case Study Example

He was excited and swaying his body from side to side while sitting on the chair, answered, “Mom and dad taught me”. According to Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, a child in the pre-operational stage is able to form stable concepts as well as mental reasoning and magical beliefs (Hanks, 2008). In his response to this question, my son revealed his mental reasoning that his parents taught him to talk. Q2. Where does the sun go at night? A2. He smiled and started to think hard and then said “The sun sets on the side of the mountains”.

This response clearly reveals the limitation of egocentrism which occurs during the pre-operational stage in Piaget’s theory of cognitive development (Hanks, 2008). My son picked his own view of sunset compared to where the sun actually goes. Q3. Why is the sky blue? A3. He was quick to respond, “God made it blue”. As stated by Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, a child in the pre-operational stage is able to form stable concepts as well as mental reasoning and magical beliefs (Hanks, 2008).

This response is an example wherein my son reveals his concept of why the sky is blue. Q4. Why do dogs bark? A4. He laughed and said, “The dog barks because it wants what it is looking at”. Then looking at me, he laughed again. . When we go to the mall, if my son finds a toy that interests him, he will cry and throw a tantrum to get it. Upon being asked why a dog barks, he places the dog in the same scheme as himself i.e., the dog wants what he is looking at. However, as the child grows, he would realize the difference between the two events. Q5. Why does it rain? A5. He scratched his head and said, “It rains because it is cloudy”.

Piaget’s theory of cognitive development states that a child in the pre-operational stage is able to form stable concepts as well as mental reasoning and magical beliefs (Hanks, 2008). The response to this question reveals the mental reasoning and concept that my son has regarding why it rains. He has understood that it rains because it is cloudy. However, as he grows, his familiarity with physical events and principles would increase and his magical beliefs and distorted mental reasoning would decline. Q6. Where do babies come from? A6. He was quick to respond, “Babies come from their mommy’s belly” and then looking at me he smiled.

Based on Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, a child in the pre-operational stage is able to form stable concepts as well as mental reasoning and magical beliefs (Hanks, 2008). My son’s response to this question reveals his mental reasoning that babies come from their mommy’s belly. Q7. Who are you going to be when you grow up? A7. Again, he was quick to respond, “I will be an FBI officer”. Then, as if reflecting the seriousness of the job, his face became more stern and serious.

Then he smiled. My son’s body language and facial expression reminded me of the fact that during the preoperational stage, children become increasingly adept