Which of the following is an example of a constructivist model that’s based on Piaget’s stages of development?
A. Head Start
B. Montessori
C. Bank Street
D. High/Scope
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is B. Montessori.
The Montessori method is a constructivist educational model that is deeply influenced by Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development. Piaget emphasized that children move through distinct stages of development, each with its own characteristic ways of thinking and understanding the world. In the Montessori method, education is tailored to the child’s developmental stage, supporting their cognitive and emotional growth through self-directed learning.
Montessori classrooms are designed to encourage exploration and independent learning. Children are provided with materials that allow them to learn at their own pace, reinforcing Piaget’s belief that children construct knowledge through interaction with their environment. Teachers in Montessori schools act as facilitators rather than traditional instructors, guiding children as they discover concepts through hands-on activities. This approach encourages the child to actively engage with their learning materials and to make connections between abstract ideas and real-world experiences.
The Montessori method supports Piaget’s stages by providing age-appropriate activities that promote the development of logical thinking, problem-solving, and social skills. For example, younger children in the Montessori system are encouraged to engage in sensory activities, helping them develop their ability to understand the world through touch, sight, and sound—reflecting Piaget’s sensorimotor stage. As children mature, they move on to more complex activities that engage their ability to think symbolically and logically, in line with Piaget’s preoperational and concrete operational stages.
In contrast, the other options (Head Start, Bank Street, and High/Scope) may incorporate constructivist elements, but they are not specifically based on Piaget’s stages. Montessori is the most direct embodiment of Piaget’s ideas in an educational context.