In this week's class, we discussed the issue of juvenile prisons and the juvenile justice system. From our conversation and reading, I learned about the specific stages of cognitive development, according to Piaget, rather than the vague assumptions I had prior to this. I now can pinpoint specific ages and where someone is at in the process of cognitive development. This will help me understand why my students are acting a certain way and how I can best adapt. In relation to juvenile courts, these definitive stages make a difference, therefore someone as young as 10 should not be tried in the same court of someone who is a middle aged adult. This may seem like an obvious answer, but it becomes more apparent when looking at the evidence.
Middle schools are also an important institution for this age group because they are designed specifically for these young adolescents and their development. There are numerous structures within a middle school that promote adolescent prosperity. As the article by Lounsbury describes, some of the aspects make middle school structures unique: "collaborative learning, strong student voice, and students engaged with larger world issues." These are essential factors especially during their stage in development because they are navigating their identities and discovering their moral principles.
Thanks for your thoughts on this LIli! I am glad it gave you some additional insights into the stages. Many people would argue that the stages are not as concrete as Piaget lays them out but it is nice to have something to start with. YAs as a group are complex (like all humans) so there is a lot to consider in this scenario.