Piaget's theory of cognitive development proposes that children progress through 4 stages of cognitive growth: sensory motor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational. Progression through the stages is based on maturation rather than age. At each stage, children acquire new cognitive abilities like object permanence and reversibility. Piaget emphasized that learning involves active participation and construction of knowledge by the learner. Children must reach certain prerequisites before learning new concepts associated with higher stages of development. Teachers should consider a child's stage to provide appropriate interactions and materials to support cognitive growth.