Piaget acknowledged that even young children express empathy and a concern with sharing, but he believed that children start out in a “heteronomous” stage of moral development where they understand good behavior to be obedience and respect for authority. At this stage children see good as that which is in accordance with rules and duties, which are firm and unchangeable. The purpose of a rule or the intent of the rule-breaker are not relevant.
Piaget believed that at about ten years of age children move into a stage of “autonomy” where they more critically analyze rules and selectively apply them to facilitate cooperation and what they view to be fair. They understand that rules are formed by mutual consent and are therefore somewhat arbitrary. At this stage children are able to integrate their thinking and action and comprehend moral effects, but the moral lesson is best learned in situations that affect them.
Schools influence moral development whether they intend to or not. They have rules and reinforce, if not require, conforming and submissive behaviors. However, Piaget did not believe schools should teach or indoctrinate morality, but instead should provide opportunities for children to make decisions, solve problems and develop common rules for cooperation. Piaget advocated a scientific model of thought for children because it would diminish egocentric thinking as children saw their own opinions relative to those of others, and it would free children of coercion of social tradition by allowing them to consider diverse beliefs.
Piaget saw naturally occurring moral education as both a means and an end best learned through the development of reciprocity. Specifically, Piaget recommended teachers support the growth of children through opportunities of self-government for ethical development and teamwork for intellectual development. Teachers can facilitate this growth by avoiding didactic teaching and instead provide opportunities for children to learn through experience and exploration. A child who seeks only to follow the rules is at risk of growing into an adult who too easily follows the will of others.