How many stages of thinking did Bruner identify?

Bruner identified three stages of cognitive development in learning, which are known as the enactive, iconic, and symbolic stages. In the enactive stage, knowledge is acquired through action and experiences, mainly involving hands-on activities. The iconic stage follows, where individuals represent knowledge through images and visual representations, enhancing their understanding through visual memory. Finally, in the symbolic stage, learners use abstract symbols, such as language and mathematical notations, to represent concepts and ideas, allowing for advanced reasoning and the ability to discuss and communicate complex thoughts.

This framework emphasizes the progressive nature of cognitive development and how learners utilize different forms of representation to enhance their learning processes. Understanding Bruner's three stages can be particularly valuable for educators as they develop pedagogical strategies that align with the developmental needs of children.