Counselling as an Enabling Tool for Quality Human Development: Challenges to Childhood Growth and Cognitive Development in the 21st Century

This paper examined the concept of childhood growth and cognitive development. It emphasizes on the processes of child growth and the stages of cognitive development as propagated by Piaget. The four stages of development were briefly discussed which are sensory-motor, pre-operational, concrete operational and formal- operational stages. Cognitive development at the concrete operational stage which was the main focus of this study was emphasized on. This stage coincides with the development of children at the primary school (7-12 years). There is need for educationist, to understand these process of growth and development at this stage in other to enhance the knowledge of the child through his/ her actions and behaviors. The roles of counseling as an effective and enabling tool for quality growth and development were highlighted. Factors detrimental to teaching and learning of the child were reviewed and techniques of ameliorating their effects by counseling were mentioned. Recommendation on the importance of counseling in enhancing quality human growth and intellectual development, especially at the childhood stage of life was made. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n3p31