Jerome Bruner proposed three stages of cognitive development: the enactive stage from birth to 3 years where learning is through movement and action; the iconic stage from 3 to 8 years where learning is through images and icons; and the symbolic stage from 8 years onward where abstract symbols are used to learn. Bruner's theory emphasizes that education should start with motor activities and teachers should select activities appropriate for the developmental stage of their students. It also supports using a spiral curriculum where concepts are revisited at higher levels of complexity.

1. BRUNER’S THEORY OFBRUNER’S THEORY OF
COGNITIVECOGNITIVE
DEVELOPMENTDEVELOPMENT

2. JEROME BRUNERJEROME BRUNER
(Process Theorist)(Process Theorist)

3. STAGES OF COGNITIVESTAGES OF COGNITIVE
DEVELOPMENTDEVELOPMENT
 1.1. Enactive stage (birth to 3 years)Enactive stage (birth to 3 years)
 2.2. Iconic stage (3 to 8 years)Iconic stage (3 to 8 years)
 3.3. Symbolic stage (from 8 years)Symbolic stage (from 8 years)

4. Enactive stage (birth to 3 years)Enactive stage (birth to 3 years)
 Learn through movement or actionLearn through movement or action

5. Iconic stage (3 to 8 years)Iconic stage (3 to 8 years)
 Learn through images or iconsLearn through images or icons

6. Symbolic stage (from 8 years)Symbolic stage (from 8 years)
 Learn through abstract symbolsLearn through abstract symbols

7. Educational Implications ofEducational Implications of
Bruner’s TheoryBruner’s Theory
 1.1. Spiral CurriculumSpiral Curriculum

8.  2.2. Teachers should select learningTeachers should select learning
activities according to the stage ofactivities according to the stage of
development of student.development of student.

9.  3.3. Education which begins withEducation which begins with
motor activities.motor activities.

10. THANKSTHANKS
Sreevidya RSreevidya R
Ist Med, IASE, ThrissurIst Med, IASE, Thrissur