Children autonomously construct

Definition

Children autonomously construct refers to Piaget's view that children actively build their own understanding and knowledge through their interactions with the environment, rather than simply being passive recipients of information. They take an active role in their own cognitive development.

Related terms

Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development:

This is the range of tasks that a child can perform with guidance or assistance from a more knowledgeable individual. It emphasizes the role of social interaction in learning.

Scaffolding:

Scaffolding is a teaching technique where a more experienced person provides support and guidance to help a learner master a task or concept. It aligns with Piaget's idea that children actively construct knowledge.

Assimilation:

Assimilation is the process by which individuals incorporate new information into existing schemas or mental structures. It is one way in which children autonomously construct their understanding by fitting new experiences into their existing knowledge framework.