Textbook: Lifespan Development in Context: A Topical Approach, Chapter 6
This chapter highlights the cognitive developmental theories of Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky’s sociocultural approach in explaining cognition.

As you read, consider the following:

• Consider how cognitive ability is not just intellectual but refers to all our mental abilities (thinking, feeling, socializing, problem solving).
• Consider how the holistic perspective is expressed in each of these theories.

Website: American Montessori Society
This website provides resources for exploring the current impact of Montessori on education and society. In particular, you should pay attention to the fact that education is viewed as continuous, and this indicates that parents, teachers, and the child are integral contributors to the process.

This website supports the short paper activity.

Video: Piaget on Piaget, Part 1 (12:25)
 A captioned version of this video is available: Piaget on Piaget, Part 1 (CC) (12:25). In this video, Piaget presents a significant overview of his concepts that substantiate the depth of his view beyond simple stages or biology.

This video supports the short paper activity.

Library Article: Montessori Education: A Review of the Evidence Base
This article provides an in-depth review of the key principles of Montessori’s approach and summarizes the evidence base for the use of the Montessori method in education. The author also makes important recommendations for the use of the approach in populations other than proposed by Maria Montessori. Implications for future research are also noted. 

This library article supports the short paper activity.

Website: The International Montessori Index
This website provides a contextual history of Maria Montessori and the development of her educational method. Explore the following links in particular from the “Quick Search” list of links available on the home page:

• Dr. Montessori: This page, titled “Maria Montessori, MD,” provides an overview of Montessori’s life and the motivations for her theory.
• Montessori Books: This page, titled “Montessori Books, Materials, and the Preparation of the Environment,” provides a discussion on the ideal learning environment to support Montessori’s theory.
• Montessori Teacher Training: This page, titled “Montessori Teaching Methods,” provides an overview of teaching methods, ideal teacher characteristics, and more.

This website supports the short paper activity.