What did Jean Piaget propose about children's development?

Jean Piaget, a prominent developmental psychologist, proposed that children's cognitive development occurs through a series of stages where they actively construct their understanding of the world based on their experiences. His theory emphasizes that children are not passive recipients of information; instead, they engage with their environment and learn through actions. This development is characterized by the formation of cognitive structures, which he referred to as schemas, ranging from simple reflexes in infancy to more complex thought processes in later stages.

Piaget believed that as children interact with the world around them, they develop these action patterns to explore, experiment, and ultimately make sense of their surroundings. This hands-on learning and active engagement enable them to adjust or refine their understanding through processes known as assimilation and accommodation. Thus, the idea that children develop action patterns that shape their understanding encapsulates the essence of Piaget's constructivist approach to cognitive development.