Developmental Stage Theoretical Analysis

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Piaget, Vygotsky and Erikson are three developmental theorists whose works were driven by a passion for how knowledge develops in an individual. Each defined theories they used to describe their views of developmental acquisition. There are some similarities between each of the theorists, in addition to many differences between them. Each have played a role in the development of curriculum for educating children. While some teachers may be more prone to support one over the other, the knowledge of each theorist aids in a greater understanding of child development. Developmental Stage Theories Jean Piaget believed that development progresses through one’s “knowledge of and control of other(s) and object(s)” (Fox & Riconscente, 2008, pp. 378). The focus of Piaget’s theory was to figure …show more content…

Vygotsky’s theory is referred to as sociocultural because he focused on culture and society’s critical role on knowledge acquisition. He believed that children gained knowledge primarily by through tools handed down by the more intellectually advanced (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015; Snowman & McCown, …show more content…

All three of the developmental theorists focused their work on how individuals learn and grow. All three had an impact on teaching and educating children by allowing teachers to consider individual, social and cultural influences. Erikson and Vygotsky both argued the value and impact of teachers, adults and peers on the development of a child. All of the theorists had additional theorists follow after them and expand upon their work. All believe that physical, social and mental experiences shape an individual. The degree to which each variable shaped the individual is only one of their