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Middle School Cognitive Development

By ages 12, 13, and 14, most students have begun developing the ability to understand symbolic ideas and abstract concepts. According to Piaget's classifications, students will range in development from the concrete operational stage of development to the formal operational stage. In fact, studies show that brain growth slows down during these years, so cognitive skills of learners may expand at a slower rate; however, refinement of these skills can certainly be reinforced.

Generally speaking, most students share the following characteristics and the way we enhance their cognitive development is by realizing that they

• are curious and willing to learn things they consider useful
• enjoy solving "real-life" problems
• focus on themselves and how they are perceived by their peers
• resist adult authority and assert independence
• begin to think critically