Peaget proposed that neurological m

Peaget proposed that neurological maturation places significant constraints on children’s reasoning abilities at any particular age. Although maturation certainly places limits on cognitive development (see Chapter 2), Piaget may have overrated its importance in logical thought, especially for older children and adolescents. Explicit training and other experiences often help youngsters acquire reasoning abilities sooner than Piaget predicated (Brainerd, 2003; D. Kuhn, 2006). For instance children as young as age 4 or 5 begin to show conservation after having experience with conservation tasks, especially if they can actively manipulate the task materials and discuss their reasoning with someone who already exhibits conservation (D.Field, 1987; Halford & Andrew, 2006; Siegler & Chen, 2008; Siegler & Lin, 2010). Similarly, instruction with concrete manipulatives can help children grasp the nature of proportions (Fujimura, 2001; Sarama & Clements, 2009) Children ages 10 and 11 can more easily solve logical problems involving hypothetical ideas if they’re taught relevant problem-solving strategies, and they become increasingly able to separate and control variables when they have numerous experiences that require them to do so (D.Kuhn & Pease, 2008; S>Lee. 1985; Lorch,et al., 2010 ; Schauble, 1990)