Subjects
Maths
Chemistry
Biology
English Language
History
Responding to change (a2 only)
Infection and response
Homeostasis and response
Energy transfers (a2 only)
Cell biology
Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments (a-level only)
Biological molecules
Organisation
Substance exchange
Bioenergetics
Genetic information & variation
Inheritance, variation and evolution
Genetics & ecosystems (a2 only)
Ecology
Cells
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Britain & the wider world: 1745 -1901
1l the quest for political stability: germany, 1871-1991
The cold war
Inter-war germany
Medieval period: 1066 -1509
2d religious conflict and the church in england, c1529-c1570
2o democracy and nazism: germany, 1918-1945
1f industrialisation and the people: britain, c1783-1885
1c the tudors: england, 1485-1603
2m wars and welfare: britain in transition, 1906-1957
World war two & the holocaust
2n revolution and dictatorship: russia, 1917-1953
2s the making of modern britain, 1951-2007
World war one
Britain: 1509 -1745
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4
0
niya๐ค๐งธ
14/12/2025
Psychology
Development
103
โข
14 Dec 2025
โข
niya๐ค๐งธ
@niya_
Ever wondered how your brain develops and learns throughout childhood?... Show more
Your brain doesn't just grow bigger as you age - it actually thinks in completely different ways at different stages of life. Jean Piaget discovered four distinct stages that every child goes through, each with its own special abilities and limitations.
In the sensorimotor stage , babies learn through touch, taste, and movement. The big breakthrough here is object permanence - realising that your mum still exists even when she leaves the room!
The preoperational stage is when imagination explodes. Kids start using symbolic play (like pretending a banana is a phone) and develop language skills. However, they're still quite egocentric - seeing the world only from their own perspective.
During the concrete operational stage , children become little scientists who can sort, classify, and understand that pouring water from a tall glass into a wide one doesn't change the amount. They can think logically about concrete things but struggle with abstract concepts.
Finally, the formal operational stage unlocks abstract thinking. Teenagers can consider multiple possibilities, understand consequences, and tackle complex moral questions.
Quick tip: If a young child seems "naughty," they might just be at a different developmental stage and genuinely don't understand what you're asking!
Understanding developmental stages completely changes how we should approach learning and teaching. Piaget believed children actively build their own understanding (called schemas) rather than just absorbing information like sponges.
This means you can't rush development - trying to teach abstract algebra to a 6-year-old won't work because their brain simply isn't ready yet. Instead, education should match each child's stage of development and let them discover things at their own pace.
Strengths of Piaget's theory include its practical applications in schools and the massive amount of research supporting his ideas. Teachers now focus on individual development rather than one-size-fits-all approaches.
However, weaknesses include evidence that children can achieve things earlier than Piaget suggested. Critics also point out he ignored social and cultural influences on development, focusing too much on individual thinking.
Remember: Children aren't mini-adults - their brains genuinely work differently, so be patient with the process!
Here's a game-changing discovery: how you think about your abilities matters more than the abilities themselves. Carol Dweck found that students fall into two categories - those with a fixed mindset and those with a growth mindset.
With a fixed mindset, you believe intelligence and talent are set in stone. When you fail, you think "I'm just not good at maths" and give up. This creates a dangerous cycle where you avoid challenges and stop improving.
A growth mindset changes everything. You believe abilities can be developed through effort and practice. Failure becomes feedback, and challenges become opportunities to grow stronger.
The research backs this up brilliantly. Yeager and Dweck studied over 1,500 students and found that low-achieving students who learned growth mindset techniques significantly outperformed control groups. The key? Praising effort rather than natural ability.
Strengths include real-world validity and practical applications that help students succeed. However, weaknesses include concerns that focusing on mindset might ignore poor teaching quality or other important factors affecting learning.
Game changer: Next time you struggle with something, try saying "I can't do this yet" instead of "I can't do this."
Daniel Willingham dropped a truth bomb on education: factual knowledge comes before skills. You can't think critically about something you know nothing about - your brain needs a solid foundation of facts first.
Think of your working memory like your phone's RAM - it has limited space. When you've memorised basic facts (like times tables), your brain frees up processing power for complex problem-solving and reasoning. This is why knowing stuff actually makes you smarter!
Practice and effort are absolutely crucial in Willingham's theory. You need to practice skills until they become automatic, leaving mental space for learning new things. It's like learning to drive - once gear changes become automatic, you can focus on navigation and road awareness.
This theory has fantastic practical applications for education and personal development. However, critics point out that Willingham doesn't emphasise individual differences enough - what works for one student might not work for another.
The bottom line? Build your knowledge base through consistent practice, and you'll find complex thinking becomes much easier.
Study tip: Don't skip the "boring" memorisation - it's actually building the foundation for advanced thinking skills!
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help โ all at your fingertips.
Quotes from every main character
English LiteratureApp Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because itโs too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didnโt even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as Iโm sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH ๐๐๐ฒ๐ค๐โจ๐๐ฎ
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because itโs too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didnโt even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as Iโm sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH ๐๐๐ฒ๐ค๐โจ๐๐ฎ
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
niya๐ค๐งธ
@niya_
Ever wondered how your brain develops and learns throughout childhood? Three major psychologists have cracked the code on how children think, learn, and grow - and their discoveries can completely change how we approach education and personal development.
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Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Your brain doesn't just grow bigger as you age - it actually thinks in completely different ways at different stages of life. Jean Piaget discovered four distinct stages that every child goes through, each with its own special abilities and limitations.
In the sensorimotor stage , babies learn through touch, taste, and movement. The big breakthrough here is object permanence - realising that your mum still exists even when she leaves the room!
The preoperational stage is when imagination explodes. Kids start using symbolic play (like pretending a banana is a phone) and develop language skills. However, they're still quite egocentric - seeing the world only from their own perspective.
During the concrete operational stage , children become little scientists who can sort, classify, and understand that pouring water from a tall glass into a wide one doesn't change the amount. They can think logically about concrete things but struggle with abstract concepts.
Finally, the formal operational stage unlocks abstract thinking. Teenagers can consider multiple possibilities, understand consequences, and tackle complex moral questions.
Quick tip: If a young child seems "naughty," they might just be at a different developmental stage and genuinely don't understand what you're asking!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Understanding developmental stages completely changes how we should approach learning and teaching. Piaget believed children actively build their own understanding (called schemas) rather than just absorbing information like sponges.
This means you can't rush development - trying to teach abstract algebra to a 6-year-old won't work because their brain simply isn't ready yet. Instead, education should match each child's stage of development and let them discover things at their own pace.
Strengths of Piaget's theory include its practical applications in schools and the massive amount of research supporting his ideas. Teachers now focus on individual development rather than one-size-fits-all approaches.
However, weaknesses include evidence that children can achieve things earlier than Piaget suggested. Critics also point out he ignored social and cultural influences on development, focusing too much on individual thinking.
Remember: Children aren't mini-adults - their brains genuinely work differently, so be patient with the process!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Here's a game-changing discovery: how you think about your abilities matters more than the abilities themselves. Carol Dweck found that students fall into two categories - those with a fixed mindset and those with a growth mindset.
With a fixed mindset, you believe intelligence and talent are set in stone. When you fail, you think "I'm just not good at maths" and give up. This creates a dangerous cycle where you avoid challenges and stop improving.
A growth mindset changes everything. You believe abilities can be developed through effort and practice. Failure becomes feedback, and challenges become opportunities to grow stronger.
The research backs this up brilliantly. Yeager and Dweck studied over 1,500 students and found that low-achieving students who learned growth mindset techniques significantly outperformed control groups. The key? Praising effort rather than natural ability.
Strengths include real-world validity and practical applications that help students succeed. However, weaknesses include concerns that focusing on mindset might ignore poor teaching quality or other important factors affecting learning.
Game changer: Next time you struggle with something, try saying "I can't do this yet" instead of "I can't do this."
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Daniel Willingham dropped a truth bomb on education: factual knowledge comes before skills. You can't think critically about something you know nothing about - your brain needs a solid foundation of facts first.
Think of your working memory like your phone's RAM - it has limited space. When you've memorised basic facts (like times tables), your brain frees up processing power for complex problem-solving and reasoning. This is why knowing stuff actually makes you smarter!
Practice and effort are absolutely crucial in Willingham's theory. You need to practice skills until they become automatic, leaving mental space for learning new things. It's like learning to drive - once gear changes become automatic, you can focus on navigation and road awareness.
This theory has fantastic practical applications for education and personal development. However, critics point out that Willingham doesn't emphasise individual differences enough - what works for one student might not work for another.
The bottom line? Build your knowledge base through consistent practice, and you'll find complex thinking becomes much easier.
Study tip: Don't skip the "boring" memorisation - it's actually building the foundation for advanced thinking skills!
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help โ all at your fingertips.
4
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: โ 50+ Practice Questions โ Interactive Flashcards โ Full Mock Exam โ Essay Outlines
Quotes from every main character
English LiteratureApp Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because itโs too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didnโt even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as Iโm sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH ๐๐๐ฒ๐ค๐โจ๐๐ฎ
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because itโs too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didnโt even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as Iโm sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH ๐๐๐ฒ๐ค๐โจ๐๐ฎ
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Psychology
Sociology