LO 5.1: Define cognitive schemas, and explain the processes by which infants and toddlers modify their cognitive schemas.
LO 5.2: Summarize infants’ progression through six substages of sensorimotor reasoning.
Piaget’s cognitive development theory provides an explanation about how humans learn to think about the world. Often students become confused when trying to memorize the stages and substages. One way to memorize the substages introduced in this chapter is through repetition and studying. Quizlet is an online website where anyone can create flashcards and study materials. For this exercise, one of the Quizlet sets is provided for students to study. To find more sets, simply type what you want to learn in the search bar. https://quizlet.com/9777988/piagets-sensorimotor-stages-flash-cards/
Download the Quizlet app to your cell phone or other device. Utilize it to study information presented in this course or to create materials to study information specific to this textbook.
LO 5.8: Discuss how intelligence is measured in infancy and findings regarding infant intelligence.
Chapter 5 introduces students to the Bayley-III intelligence test for infants. This test consists of gross motor and fine motor scales, a cognitive scale including items such as attending to a stimulus or searching for a hidden toy, a language scale examining comprehension and production of language, a social-emotional scale derived from a parent report regarding behaviors such as the infants’ responsiveness and play behaviors, and an adaptive behavior scale. An example of a child’s report after taking the test is provided here: http://images.pearsonclinical.com/images/dotcom/Bayley-III/ParentSASampleReport.pdf
- Does this child’s performance on each scale fall within the average range? Why or why not?
- The results give parents suggestions to help their child’s development. What are some of the suggestions given for each scale?
- Given what you know about cognitive development and language development, socioeconomic status, marital status, etc., describe a hypothetical parent for this child. Provide additional sentences to support your reasoning.
LO 5.9: Explain patterns of language development from birth through infancy and toddlerhood.
LO 5.10: Contrast learning, nativist, and interactionist perspectives on language development.
Chapter 5 introduces students to how infants and toddlers learn language. They begin by making simple sounds, then use one-word utterances, then two-word utterances, and then simple sentences. Theorists believe language is learned through reinforcement, through a language acquisition device, or through an interaction of reinforcement and innate abilities. This exercise will introduce students to apps developed to enhance language development in infants and toddlers. The following web page has a list of apps, the appropriate age to use each app, and descriptions of each app: http://nspt4kids.com/parenting/using-ipad-and-iphone-apps-to-promote-speech-and-language-development/
- Choose one app and download it.
- Explore the app.
- Write a summary of the app. What age group did this app target? What were the exercises used?
- Do you think this app will promote language development? Why or why not?
- Would you use this app with your child? Why or why not?
- Do you think parents should be encouraged to use these apps? Why or why not?