HUM 6375 – Arts and Human Development

Creative Practice #2

Human Development

This week we learned about Piaget's theory that there are four stages of development in the human being. They are the sensorimotor stage, from birth to 24 months. This is the time in a child's life when everything is about touch and taste. Everything the baby touches also ends up in the baby's mouth. At this stage the little ones think if something is not in front of them, it no longer exists. Playing Peek-a-boo in this life stage helps reduce separation anxiety as the baby can begin to realize that mother is still there when he can't see her.

From there, children between the ages of 2 to 7 begin to explore their world and this time also begins the constant barrage of questions as they seek to understand why and add meaning to their world. This is the time of play and vivid imagination, when building blocks become something else and dolls have personalities. Play acting also begins and children pretend to be someone else.

Next up is the concrete operational stage. The child between 7 and 11 develops the ability to think logically and use deductive reasoning. Concepts in math and science are now relevant to them.

Finally, from age 11 to adult, humans enter the formal operations stage. By this time, children are able to think in hypothetical ways, construct "what-if" situations. Now the child understands the concept of cause and effect as well as consequences for their actions.

Below is a great video describing Piaget's theory.
https://youtu.be/Jt3-PIC2nCs