Final answer:
A child's response to a deck of cards depends on their cognitive development stage according to Piaget. In the preoperational stage, they may use pretend play without understanding game rules, while in the concrete operational stage, they begin to comprehend rules, numbers, and conservation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cognitive Development and Piaget's Stages
When a deck of cards is placed in front of a child, their response can be varied depending on their stage of cognitive development according to Jean Piaget's theory. For instance, if a child is in the preoperational stage (ages 2 to 7), they might engage in pretend play, imagining the cards to be different objects, or they might focus on the visual aspects of the cards such as color or shape rather than understanding the rules or the conventional use of the cards in a card game. They might also exhibit egocentrism, assuming others view the cards exactly as they do.
Moving forward to the concrete operational stage (ages 7 to 11), a child's response would involve more logical thinking about the cards. They might begin to understand and follow the rules of simple card games and recognize the need to use numbers and strategy. They will display a better grasp of conservation, understanding that the number of cards remains the same regardless of their arrangement or the order in which they are dealt. This represents a stark contrast to a child in the earlier stage who might perceive a larger pile of cards as 'more' without understanding the concept of numbers.
Overall, children will assimilate new information about the cards into their existing schemata or adjust it entirely (accommodation), depending on their cognitive ability and the stage of development they are in.