Final answer:
Piaget's theory supports the notion that children's thinking is fundamentally different from that of adults, representing a discontinuous approach to cognitive development.
Step-by-step explanation:
In answering the question about Piaget's four stages of development, it's important to understand his perspective on cognitive growth in children. Piaget's theory suggests that cognitive development occurs through specific, sequential stages—each marked by qualitatively different ways of thinking and reasoning. This is a discontinuous approach to development.
Of the given options, the statement that is supported by Piaget's theory is "Children's thinking is fundamentally different from adults'." According to Piaget, as children transition from one stage to the next, they exhibit thinking patterns and cognitive skills that are fundamentally different from those in preceding stages, and from those seen in adulthood. This supports the idea of cognitive development as a series of stages that are distinct from adult forms of thinking.
The theory outlined by Piaget does not posit that development is a solely continuous process (i.e., gradual and cumulative improvements over time), nor does it state that cognitive development is solely influenced by genetics—environmental interactions also play a crucial role. Finally, Piaget's theory does not focus on reinforcement and punishment; instead, it describes how children construct knowledge through their experiences and interactions with the world.