Ontario Early Childhood Educator Practice Exam 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

Centration is a key concept in child cognitive development, particularly identified in Piaget's theory of cognitive development. It refers specifically to the tendency of young children to focus on one salient aspect of a situation while disregarding other relevant features. This cognitive limitation typically occurs during the preoperational stage of development, approximately ages 2 to 7.

For instance, when presented with two rows of coins, one being spread out and the other bunched together, a child exhibiting centration might only focus on the length of the rows and conclude that the row with more spread-out coins has more, ignoring the overall quantity in both rows. This ability to concentrate on a single characteristic is a normal part of cognitive growth but can lead to misunderstandings regarding conservation and classification.

In contrast, alternatives like focusing on multiple characteristics of a problem pertain to more advanced cognitive skills that develop as children grow. Understanding that actions can be reversed and realizing the perspectives of others also reflect more complex cognitive abilities that emerge later in development. These concepts relate to the progression in cognitive skills beyond the centration typical of younger children, illustrating the evolving nature of children's thinking as they mature.