Episode 84: How To Make Learning Fun Again Part 1 – Piaget

Rekindling the Joy of Learning: A Look at Piaget’s Cognitive Development to make learning fun again

Embarking on a Journey of Youthful Discovery

Do you remember the sheer joy of learning as a child? The thrill in discovering new things? Our mission in this episode is to bring back that feeling. Dr. Eugene Geist explores Jean Piaget’s theories, revealing our inquisitive nature. From our earliest words to complex concepts, our lives are a quest for knowledge. But in adulthood, how can we make learning fun and keep that childlike zest alive? This is our quest.

Piaget’s Philosophical Foundations

Renowned Swiss cognitive psychologist Jean Piaget once noted, “Education’s main goal is to shape individuals to innovate, not just replicate past feats.” This isn’t mere words; it’s a deep insight into education’s purpose – not just rote learning, but nurturing innovation and creativity.

A Deeper Dive into Piaget’s Developmental Stages

1. Sensorimotor (0-2 years):

This foundational stage is when infants begin to grasp the concept of object permanence, understanding that things exist even when out of sight. It’s fascinating to observe as they navigate ‘confusion disequalibrium’ – that sense of surprise or confusion when the expected doesn’t happen. It’s here they learn the art of assimilation, connecting new experiences to existing knowledge. Conversely, they also learn accommodation, crafting new mental compartments for unique experiences. This continuous process of learning and adapting is the crux of constructivism.

2. Pre-operational (2-6 years):

Welcome to the era of wonder. Children in this stage are guided more by intuition than by logic. Their world is full of symbols, from toys representing real-life entities to scribbles signifying words. As they near the end of this phase, they start moving out of their self-centered world, becoming more aware of others. And yes, magic is real for them, be it in the form of Santa Claus or tooth fairies. Their minds, though expanding, still grapple with concepts like volume and mass, making conservation tasks a tad tricky. Our goal? To make learning fun amidst their natural sense of wonder.

3. Concrete Operations (7-12 years):

Children transition into craving more logical and detailed explanations. They benefit immensely from hands-on learning, where they can manipulate objects to understand concepts. Their thinking, while predominantly logical, occasionally dabbles in the abstract. Yet, the realm of hypotheticals is still a bit out of reach.

4. Formal Operations (12+ years):

Entering the teenage years, there’s a noticeable shift. Thought processes become more sophisticated, abstract thinking takes center stage, and hypothetical situations become comprehensible.

The Heart of Piaget’s Teaching

To wrap up, Piaget’s belief system revolves around one core idea: children are not mere passive recipients of information. They are curious, active learners, constantly interacting with and trying to make sense of the world around them. They don’t just learn because they have to, but because they are innately wired to.