Development of knowledge consists of a constant effort to adapt or adjust to one’s environment, and a consequent progressive reorganization of one’s schemas based on three principles.
a. Assimilation
Involves the interpretation of new objects or events in terms of existing schema.
b. Accommodation
Modification of existing schema to incorporate new objects or events so as to make sense of the environment.
c. Equilibrium
Occurs when a child’s schemas can deal with most new information through assimilation. However, when new information cannot be fitted into existing schemas an unpleasant state of disequilibrium occurs, which will lead to the child’s progress into the next stage of cognitive development.
Comment