Jerome Bruner developed the theory of cognitive development which outlines three stages of intellectual development - the enactive stage where children represent things through motor activities, the iconic stage where they store information visually, and the symbolic stage where they use language. Bruner's theory of instruction has 5 stages - intellectual development, discovery learning, concept formation, language development, and generic learning where new knowledge is logically connected to prior knowledge. The educational implications are to teach according to age and development, build new knowledge on previous knowledge, use active learning, represent abstract concepts symbolically, emphasize structured knowledge, and use reinforcement and heuristic methods to enhance logical and inductive learning based on experiences.

1. Rajeev Kumar, Vinci Viveka and Ekta Rai, M.Ed (2012-13)
Assignment in Psychology of Learner
Jerome Bruner founded new concept related to intellectual development. His theory is
called theory of Cognitive Development. In 1956, in his lesson plan of learning he gave the
Theory of Instruction. Theory of instruction has five stages:
1. Intellectual Development- it has three stages-
a. Enactive stage- the child represents things in motor activities.
b. Iconic Stage- the child stores information in form of visual images.
c. Symbolic stage-the child express in language i.e. words, symbols etc.
2. Discovery learning- learning is based on experiences. It develops memory, thinking
and creativity of child.
3. Formation of Concept-organization of facts to form concepts.
4. Development of Language-by acculration and it expresses verbalization of thought;
language makes things easy to express.
5. Generic Learning-new knowledge should be related to previous knowledge and
should be logical. It should be taught in logical and inductive way. The best method is
heuristic method.
Educational Implications of Theory of Cognitive Development
1. Teachings according to the age and development of children.
2. New knowledge should be based on previous knowledge.
3. Learning by doing brings activeness in class.
4. Representation of abstract things by symbols.
5. Structure of knowledge should be emphasized.
6. Curriculum formation and its relativity.
7. Reinforcement enhances learning.
8. Learning by heuristic method.
9. Using new teaching skills in class.
10. Learning based on experience.
11. Emphasis on creativity of child
12. Symbolic development of language.
13. Logical and inductive learning.