Piaget’s stage theory of development is different from the information-processing theory in that Piaget’s theory suggests that development occurs through four distinct stages whereas the information processing theory leans more towards a continuous pattern of development. However there are some similarities between these theories as well. Each theory suggests that children will have limitations in their thinking abilities throughout their development. Piaget suggests that these limitations are based on what developmental stage the child is in; the information-processing theory (IPT) states that limitations are based on a child’s functional short-term memory capacity which is linked to age.