Three different theorists were considered in this assignment. Two children were used to explore the theories of development by Piaget, Vygotsky and Kohlberg. One child tested was a fourteen-year-old female named Kari. Kari is currently at the grade 8 level and performs well academically. The other child tested was a six-year-old female named Meghan. Meghan is currently in Kindergarten. Meghan performs at an average level academically. The assigned tasks were completed with the child and myself alone together to avoid distraction. Each child was evaluated on the same evening. I wanted to ensure I would present the tasks in a similar manner for each child.To explore Piaget’s theories two different tasks were assigned. The first task was to test for the ability to conserve. I had a clear glass pie plate and a clear tall glass. I used a two-cup measuring cup, which was filled with water while the child watched. I filled it purposely to the two cup line making a point of setting the cup on the counter to be sure the child could observe it well. I then poured it into the pie plate. I again filled the two-cup measure; once more placing it on the counter to be sure it was filled to the same point. I poured it into the tall glass. The question asked of each child was to indicate which container had the most water in it.Kari identified that the containers held the same amount of water without hesitation. Her response indicates that Kari has the ability to conserve. From this test alone one can only conclude that Kari has at least reached Piaget’s stage of concrete operations.Meghan observed as I filled the two containers. She hesitated for a moment then indicated the pie plate had more water in it than the tall glass. Meghan does not have the ability to conserve. Even though she watched me fill the two containers with exactly the same amount of water she thought the flattened out amount looked like more. Megha...
