Cognitive Growth, Language, and Early Schooling — Summary of Chapter 9 from The Developing Person Through the Life Span

Cognitive Growth, Language, and Early Schooling — Summary of Chapter 9 from The Developing Person Through the Life Span

How do young children think, speak, and learn? Chapter 9 of Kathleen Stassen Berger’s The Developing Person Through the Life Span dives into the cognitive leaps of early childhood. It explores how executive function, symbolic thinking, language acquisition, and various approaches to early education support developmental growth from ages 2 to 6. Grounded in the theories of Piaget and Vygotsky, this chapter emphasizes the powerful role of interaction, play, and structure in shaping a child’s mind.

Book cover

Watch the full video above for a chapter breakdown in podcast form, or continue reading for a detailed summary of how young minds grow and learn through language and education.

Cognitive Development in Early Childhood

Executive Function

Executive function includes working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility—skills that underpin school readiness and problem-solving. These skills are highly responsive to learning environments and can be improved with practice.

Piaget’s Preoperational Stage

According to Jean Piaget, children in the preoperational stage (ages 2–7) engage in symbolic thinking but are not yet capable of logical reasoning. Key features include:

  • Centration: Focusing on one aspect of a situation
  • Focus on appearance: Judging by surface traits
  • Static reasoning: Believing things are unchanging
  • Irreversibility: Inability to reverse a process mentally
  • Animism: Attributing life to inanimate objects

Vygotsky’s Social Learning Theory

Lev Vygotsky emphasized the importance of social interaction in learning. Through guided participation and scaffolding, adults help children reach new cognitive levels within their zone of proximal development (ZPD).

Vygotsky also introduced:

  • Theory-theory: Children form theories to explain how the world works
  • Theory of mind: Around age 4, children begin to understand that others have thoughts and feelings different from their own

Language Development in Early Childhood

Vocabulary and Grammar

Early childhood is a sensitive period for language learning. Children experience a vocabulary explosion during this time, rapidly learning words through fast-mapping and logical extension.

Grammar Mastery

Young learners often apply grammar rules too broadly—a phenomenon known as overregularization (e.g., "runned" instead of "ran"). They also begin to understand pragmatics, or the social rules of language.

Bilingualism

Learning two languages early offers cognitive benefits and strengthens social development. Bilingual children are less prone to language shift—losing one language—if both are supported at home and in the community.

Early Childhood Education Programs

Child-Centered Approaches

  • Montessori: Emphasizes independence, hands-on learning, and task mastery
  • Reggio Emilia: Prioritizes creativity, self-expression, and collaborative exploration
  • Waldorf: Focuses on imagination, routine, and emotional growth

Teacher-Directed Approaches

These programs prioritize academic preparation, structured routines, and behavioral reinforcement. Often based on behaviorist principles, they prepare children for formal schooling.

Intervention and Head Start

Programs like Head Start aim to provide disadvantaged children with educational and social support. Long-term studies, including Perry Preschool and Abecedarian, show lasting benefits in academic achievement, employment, and reduced criminal behavior.

Conclusion: Foundations for Lifelong Learning

Chapter 9 emphasizes that the early years are not just about growth—they are a critical period for learning how to think, communicate, and navigate the world. With support from families, educators, and communities, children can develop strong language skills, cognitive flexibility, and a foundation for future academic success.

To hear this material explained clearly and concisely, watch the full podcast episode here.

For more chapter walkthroughs and academic study tools, subscribe to Last Minute Lecture and stay ahead in your psychology course.

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