3. You have gone through stages of Piaget’s cognitive development, in your professional beliefs and in your theological beliefs. Name and trace the development of any 1 of your beliefs through all 4 stages. Give at least 1 specific characteristic for each stage and use terms from Piaget’s theory. Though you may not remember your cognitive development at every stage, trace what must have happened to you in each stage to allow your current functioning. In relation to this belief, what is the best stage for you to be in now, and why?

Piaget was the first psychologist who talked about the way in which children develop understanding about the surrounding world. According to Piaget, during the first two years of life in the sensorimotor stage, children become aware of the existing objects even if they are hidden. In order to do that, they draw schemas in their mind about such objects. That is the case for example in christmas of the presents under the tree. Children know there is going to be a present for them, and what they expect is a colorful toy to play with.

During the preoperational stage, at around two to seven years of life, children develop the ability to relate things to words and their representation. At this moment, they are more focus on their point of view rather than others, it is still difficult for them to perceive others' opinions about the world around. In christmas time for example at this age children begin discovering that this a special time to share with the family and friends.

During the third stage of cognitive development, Piaget explains in the concrete operational stage at around seven to eleven years of life, how children develop the capacity of thinking logically, that is to say they can internalize knowledge at this moment more than taking into account only the physical appearance. Talking about christmas time for example, at this stage children discover that it is not Santa Claus who brings the presents, and they understand about the importance of sharing time with the loved ones, they learn how the important part during the festivities is not the present itself, it is in reality the intention and the time shared.

Finally during the formal operational stage, starting at eleven years of life until the adulthood, the individuals learn how to think about abstract concepts and everytime they become more logic through experience. In my opinion, this is the best stage to be in because at this moment the individual starts enjoying more about taking decisions in life and sharing with others what it has been learnt.