Conservation
- characteristics of objects remain the same even when their appearance changes
- ex: braking a cookie does not result in more cookies
Seriation
- kids can order items along quantitative dimensions (height/weight)
- ex: give sticks of varying length and ask to put in order
Class inclusion
- organizing objects into classes based on similarities/differences
- ex: are there more yellow flowers or flowers
Transitivity
- ability to reason about relations b/w items
- greater than, less than
- if A > C and C > B, is A > B?
Skills necessary for conservation
Identity: certain characteristics remain the same even if others change
Decentration: ability to focus on several aspects and relate them
Reversibility: reversing the process by which something was changed back the original conditions (9 + 4 = 13, 13 - 9 = 4)
Some limitations of concrete operational thought
- work best with CONCRETE objects
- continuum - master these things gradually
Achievements vs aptitude tests
ACH: measures what you’re learning in school (ACT, SAT)
APT: measures your potential to learn (IQ)
WISC
- Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children
- standardized test designed to measure cognitive abilities of kids
learning disability
- neurological condition that affects ability to process information, despite average or above-average IQ (about 8% of US kids)
IDEA
- fed law that regulates special education
- requires free + appropriate public education in least restrictive environment
- only separate when absolutely necessary
What skills do gifted and talented children exhibit?
- gifted: exceptional intellectual strength (> 130 IQ)
- talented: outstanding performance in a specific field
- divergent thinking, creativity
Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences
- not just one general ability but a set of different kinds of abilities
- linguistic, logic-mathematical, musical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, naturalist, interpersonal, intrapersonal
- not how smart you are, HOW you are smart
Goleman’s theory of emotional intelligence
- emotional IQ (EQ): how we process/adapt to emotional information
- control impulses, self motivation, empathy in relationships
- social emotional learning (SEL) curriculum: teach conflict resolution, impulse control, social skills
What is ‘grit’ – how does it contribute to children’s learning and future success?
- consistency of interests (keeping goals, focus) and perseverance of effort (achieving long term goals, finish what begin)
- helps kids stick with challenging tasks, build resilience, and develop a GROWTH MINDSET
