Piaget's cognitive developmental theory

Definition

Piaget's cognitive developmental theory is a framework proposed by Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget that explains how children actively construct their understanding of the world through different stages of development.

Related terms

Assimilation:

In Piaget's theory, assimilation refers to the process in which new experiences or information are incorporated into existing mental schemas.

Accommodation:

Accommodation is when existing mental schemas are adjusted or modified to incorporate new experiences or information.

Object Permanence:

Object permanence is the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen or heard. It develops during the sensorimotor stage of Piaget's theory.