What does adaptation in child development refer to?

Adaptation in child development refers to the combined processes of assimilation and accommodation. This concept is rooted in Piaget's theory of cognitive development, where assimilation involves integrating new information into existing cognitive frameworks, and accommodation refers to altering those frameworks to incorporate new experiences that do not fit.

When children encounter new experiences, they either incorporate this information into what they already know (assimilation) or modify their understanding to adapt to this new information (accommodation). Thus, adaptation is a dynamic process that ensures children can learn from their interactions with the world around them by adjusting their cognitive structures as necessary. This holistic approach is essential for healthy cognitive growth and allows for flexible thinking as children develop.