Overview
This lecture demonstrates Piaget's conservation tasks, highlighting how children perceive quantity and number when objects are changed in shape or arrangement.
Conservation of Liquids
- Equal amounts of liquid are poured into identical glasses, and children confirm both have the same amount.
- When liquid is poured into a taller glass, some children believe the taller glass has more liquid due to its appearance.
- Correct understanding: Despite different shapes, the amount of liquid remains the same if nothing is added or taken away.
Conservation of Substance (Clay)
- Two identical pieces of clay are shown to have the same amount.
- When one piece is smashed, some children think there is more clay because it appears larger or more spread out.
- The core concept is that changing the shape does not alter the amount of clay.
Conservation of Number (Coins)
- Two rows with equal numbers of coins are presented and confirmed equal by children.
- When one row is spread out, some children maintain they are equal, others think the longer row has more.
- Spacing does not change the number of coins; quantity remains constant.
Children's Explanations and Errors
- Young children often judge amounts by appearance (height, size, length), not underlying quantity.
- Older or more advanced children understand conservation: that rearranging appearance does not change quantity.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Conservation — Understanding that quantity does not change despite changes in shape or arrangement.
- Piaget's Conservation Tasks — Experiments designed to test a child's grasp of conservation concepts.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review Piaget's stages of cognitive development, especially the preoperational stage.
- Practice explaining conservation with everyday objects (liquids, clay, coins).
- Read relevant textbook section on conservation and cognitive development.