Piaget
You observe a preschooler pretending a block is a phone. Piaget says this shows symbolic thinking in this stage.
What is the preoperational stage?
You hear a child talking to themself while building a tower. Vygotsky says this speech helps them think.
What is private speech?
You observe a teacher giving a sticker for cleaning up toys.
What is positive reinforcement?
A child chooses the art center daily and expresses ideas through drawings.
What is visual-spatial intelligence?
A preschooler tries to put on their coat independently.
What is Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt?
You see a child struggle to see another child’s point of view during block play.
What is egocentrism?
A child can complete a puzzle only when a teacher gives hints.
What is the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)?
A teacher removes extra cleanup time after a child follows the rules.
What is negative reinforcement?
You observe a child who communicates well, asks questions, and loves storytelling.
What is linguistic intelligence?
A child proudly announces, “I made this tower all by myself!”
What is building initiative?
While observing, you see a child repeat the same action just because it makes them laugh.
What is a circular reaction?
A teacher uses modeling, clues, and questions to guide a child through a task.
What is scaffolding?
A teacher ignores whining so the behavior decreases over time.
What is extinction?
A child excels at counting, patterning, and problem-solving activities.
What is logical-mathematical intelligence?
You see a child hesitate to try a new activity due to fear of making a mistake.
What is guilt taking over initiative?
A child sorts shapes correctly, showing an understanding of categories and rules.
What is classification?
Children in dramatic play use language to negotiate roles and rules.
What is social interaction driving learning?
A child’s misbehavior decreases after losing a turn at the sensory table.
What is punishment?
During music time, one child keeps rhythm and remembers lyrics easily.
What is musical intelligence?
A child comforts a peer or takes on a leadership role in pretend play.
What is initiative in social relationships?
You observe a child who understands that clay rolled into a snake still has the same amount as when it was a ball.
What is conservation?
You notice a child learning faster when paired with a more skilled peer.
What is a more knowledgeable other (MKO)?
You observe a teacher rewarding a behavior every other time it occurs.
What is an intermittent reinforcement schedule?
You watch a child calming a friend who is upset and communicating with empathy.
What is interpersonal intelligence?
In your observation notes, you write that a child is showing confidence by choosing challenging tasks.
What is positive resolution of the “Initiative vs. Guilt” stage?