CHILD DEVELOPMENT PEDAGOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Piaget conceived equilibration as an ongoing process that refines and transforms mental structures, constituting the basis of cognitive development. More equilibration tends to occur as an individual is transitioning from one major developmental stage to the next.

Detailed explanation-2: -The prefix ‘equi’ means equal or balanced. For example, the spring equinox is the day halfway between the solstices with days and nights of equal length, and an equidistant building is located halfway between two other locations. The equilibration meaning also denotes a sense of balance.

Detailed explanation-3: -If the “new situation” is in balance with the existing schema then that balance is referred to by Piaget as “equilibration” in that the existing knowledge base is working. For example, using a similar one mentioned above, learning a new language that uses the same alphabet as your first language would work for you.

Detailed explanation-4: -According to Piaget, development is driven by the process of equilibration. Equilibration encompasses assimilation (i.e., people transform incoming information so that it fits within their existing thinking) and accommodation (i.e, people adapt their thinking to incoming information).