Piaget's Theory and the Preoperational Stage
Piaget's theory offers an explanation of the various stages of development and the manner in which the process of development can be enhanced. Notably, in the preoperational stage that engulfs the 3rd-grade students that will be addressed in the essay, Piaget explains the features of the children in this age of between toddlers to age seven years. He indicates that these children have their thinking based on mere intuition but not complete logic. Further, they cannot grasp various complex concepts like the cause and effect, comparison as well as time. Therefore, in educating students in grade three, there are essential strategies that have to be involved regarding the Piaget's theory of learning, which consists of a lot of both creativity as well as being adaptive in a bid to ensure the process of learning is made fun, the learner's interest is captured, and the learner is motivated for the learning process.
Active Engagement of Students
Firstly, the most essential is the active engagement of the students while learning. Notably, the children of this age mostly learn by doing things; hence, the educator has to engage the students in various hands-on activities that impart the intended knowledge to the student and help in the cognitive development. The active engagement of students can be met through the implication of techniques that involve cooperative learning. Besides, gadgets like the iPad and a whiteboard may be used to help enhance the learning process. The key to achieving ten learning objective lies in the ability to keep the student's minds as well as hands moving in the related objects of study. Besides, engaging the students will also help develop a conducive atmosphere for learning because of the freedom they will have in taking part in the process, which will make them feel valued in the class and part of it.
Learner-Centered Process of Learning
Secondly, focusing on the learner-centered process of learning that involves letting the students throw the assimilation and the accommodation processes of learning. Hence, the educator is tasked with planning various experiences that will enable the students to have opportunities for assimilating as well as accommodation the acquired knowledge through these experiences. Importantly, the educator should ensure the students explore, experiment, manipulate, the question as well as search for answers themselves through planned activities. However, the student-centered learning also dictates that the educator has to assess the present cognitive level of the students and be aware of weaknesses and the strength to help in the planning of the activities that will enable the students' experience and learn on the fields at which they are weak. The educators should also ensure that the instructions given are individualized and the students have the opportunities of communicating with one another, arguing as well as debating on various issues. Hence, the teacher is to be the facilitator of knowledge and offer guidance as well as stimulation to the students.
Recognition and Celebration of Achievements
Lastly, there should be recognition and celebration of achievements. At the stated age, the students will be sensitive to reward whether negative or positive and will impact the process of learning. Therefore, acknowledging the slightest achievement possible by the students who usually need continuous positive reinforcement, will help in offering motivation for the students and make them challenge themselves to achieve more. Additionally, giving reinforcements to achievements of the students will make them feel that their teacher is confident in their ability to learn on their own, which will result into an improvement in the learning process because the students will want to maintain their teacher's confidence and not disappoint him beside their want for the good feeling of being celebrated after achieving.
