We will bring, particularly, the contributions of Jean Piaget (1896–1980) and Henri Wallon (1879–1962), French-speaking psychologists who, belonging to the genetic-functional perspective, during the decades from 1930 to 1950, had a debate about several themes, among them, the origin and the understanding of the symbolic or semiotic function (SF). 1
Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development suggests that children move through four different stages of learning. His theory focuses not only on understanding how children acquire knowledge, but also on understanding the nature of intelligence. Piaget's stages are:
Piaget's stage theory describes the cognitive development of children . Cognitive development involves changes in cognitive process and abilities. In Piaget's view, early cognitive development involves processes based upon actions and later progresses to changes in mental operations.
Unlike his contemporary Jean Piaget, Wallon concentrated his efforts upon a description of the child's emotional development and the role emotions play in establishing the bond between child and caregiver. The description of Wallon's stage theory is preceded by biographical information and a presentation of his methodological views.