According to Piaget, what is the process called when children interpret new experiences based on their current understanding of the world?

The process of interpreting new experiences based on current understandings is known as assimilation. In Piaget's theory of cognitive development, assimilation occurs when children incorporate new information into their existing cognitive frameworks. For instance, if a child has a simplistic notion of a dog as a furry animal and then sees a cat, they may classify the cat as a "dog" based on their current understanding, rather than adjusting their concept of what a cat is.

This contrasts with accommodation, which occurs when existing cognitive structures are adjusted or expanded to incorporate new information that does not fit into existing schemas. Affiliation and adaptation, while related concepts in broader contexts, do not specifically refer to the process of integrating new information into existing mental frameworks as assimilation does. Therefore, understanding how children use assimilation helps clarify their cognitive processes as they develop.