Who developed the theory of cognitive development?

The theory of cognitive development was developed by Jean Piaget, a Swiss psychologist who focused on how children learn and develop cognitively through distinct stages. Piaget's theory posits that children progress through four key developmental stages: the sensorimotor stage, the preoperational stage, the concrete operational stage, and the formal operational stage. Each stage represents a different way of thinking and understanding the world, reflecting qualitative changes in cognitive abilities as children mature.

Piaget's emphasis on the stages indicates that cognitive development is not merely a matter of accumulating knowledge; instead, it involves structural changes in thinking processes. His work has had a profound influence on education, child psychology, and our understanding of how intellectual capabilities evolve from infancy into adulthood. This foundation helps educators and psychologists recognize that learning experiences should align with the cognitive maturity of children at different ages.