Kintess School: Where Children Build Their Knowledge

Jean Piaget (1896–1980) remains one of the most influential developmental psychologists of the twentieth century. His work on cognitive development provides a systematic framework for understanding how children think, learn, and construct knowledge about the world. Unlike earlier theorists such as G. Stanley Hall or Sigmund Freud, Piaget focused on cognitive structures and the qualitative differences between children’s and adults’ thinking. He showed that children are not passive recipients of information but actively build their understanding through exploration, manipulation, and reflection on their experiences.

Piaget identified four main stages of cognitive development. The sensorimotor stage (0–2 years) involves learning through the senses and actions, with the emergence of object permanence. The preoperational stage (2–7 years) is characterized by the development of symbolic thought and language, although logical reasoning and perspective-taking remain limited. The concrete operational stage (7–11 years) marks the emergence of logical reasoning, particularly concerning concrete objects, with understanding of concepts such as conservation, reversibility, and classification. Finally, the formal operational stage (from 12 years onward) allows abstract and hypothetical reasoning, paving the way for scientific and systematic thinking.

At Kintess School, we use this theoretical framework to guide our constructivist teaching approach. We place the child at the center of learning, creating environments rich in hands-on experiences and practical activities that stimulate exploration, observation, and reflection. Teachers carefully observe children’s thinking processes to provide challenges suited to their developmental stage, fostering active experimentation, problem-solving, and intellectual autonomy.

In our classrooms, particularly bilingual ones, children constantly compare languages and concepts, enhancing cognitive flexibility, executive functions, and metalinguistic awareness. Practical activities, educational games, and individual or small-group projects are designed to stimulate logical reasoning, creativity, and abstract thinking while respecting each child’s pace and interests.

The constructivist approach inspired by Piaget allows each child to build knowledge progressively and actively, transforming experiences into lasting understanding. At Kintess School, applying this theoretical framework helps children reach their full intellectual potential while nurturing their natural curiosity and love of learning.

References:

• Piaget, J. (1970). Science of Education and the Psychology of the Child. New York: Orion Press.
• Fosnot, C. T. (2013). Constructivism: Theory, Perspectives, and Practice. New York: Teachers College Press.