Who is a major theorist associated with cognitive development in children?

The major theorist associated with cognitive development in children is Jean Piaget. Piaget's theory focuses on how children construct their understanding of the world through a series of stages, each characterized by distinct cognitive abilities. His work emphasized the processes of assimilation and accommodation, where children integrate new information into existing schemas or modify their schemas to incorporate new experiences.

His stages of cognitive development – sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational – illustrate how children's thought processes evolve from simple, sensory-based interactions with their environment to complex, abstract reasoning. Understanding these developmental stages is fundamental for educators and caregivers, as it informs strategies to support children's learning and cognitive challenges at different age levels. Piaget's insights remain a cornerstone of educational psychology and greatly influence early childhood education practices.