Raising the Mind: How Children Build Knowledge and Understand the World

From birth, children embark on a remarkable journey of discovery, turning a chaotic swirl of sensations into an organized mental map. They don’t passively absorb information but actively construct knowledge by organizing experiences into mental frameworks called schemas.

When faced with new experiences, children first try to fit them into existing schemas (assimilation). When new information doesn’t fit, they adjust their schemas (accommodation), driving cognitive growth.

One foundational milestone is object permanence—the understanding that objects continue to exist even when hidden. This marks a shift to representational thought.

Later, children develop theory of mind, recognizing that others have beliefs and desires different from their own. This ability underpins empathy and social interaction.

These developmental stages are flexible, influenced by biology, environment, and culture, highlighting the child’s active role in shaping their mind.

References: Developmental theories and research synthesized from educational psychology and cognitive development sources 1 , 3 .