Instead of focusing on having one right answer, pay attention to the many different steps it
takes to reach a finished product.
For instance, during an art lesson ask the students to notice the different ways they create a
painting. Some may start at the bottom edge of the easel while others begin at the middle.
Piaget encouraged independent, hands-on learning and
opportunities for discovery.
Plan a variety of classroom activities that accommodate different learning styles, such as visual or
auditory.
Encourage students to learn from their peers. This is especially relevant for children in the 2 to 7 age
range but applies to students of all ages.
Since different students excel at different areas of knowledge, learning from peers also provides a
thorough education.
Learning to listen thoughtfully and sensitively to
their peers and respect a variety of different
viewpoints will provide lifelong benefits for your
students.
Allow students to learn from their mistakes. Piaget believed that children develop knowledge about
the world through trial and error.
Mistakes show that the student is actively interacting with the world around her and trying out new
ideas for herself.
Mistakes can be frustrating for the students as well as the teacher, but try to model patience and
guide the student toward a different conclusion.
Guide the students. Piaget recommended that teachers take an active, mentoring role toward
students.
Instead of pushing information at students while they sit and listen passively, share the learning
experience and encourage students to be active and engaged.
Take your students seriously and respect their ideas, suggestions and opinions.
Supplement traditional lectures with relevant, hands-on classroom activities that let students
experience the content for themselves.