Social environment and construction of knowledge within piagetian perspective

This paper highlights the importance of social environment in the processes of construction of knowledge. Even though Piaget's theory is based on developmental stages it does follow from the theory that the development of the individual takes place through interaction with the social and physical world around her. The social environment stimulates knowledge construction by posing challenges to the child as well as by providing feedback to the child about validity of her logical constructions. The paper establishes that an enabling social environment is necessary for the process of construction of knowledge by the child. A conducive environment provides opportunities of interaction with the environment and that of actively participating in knowledge construction. The paper also focuses on how this enabling environment can be created at home and within the classroom. It concludes by highlighting the role of adults/teachers as facilitators in the process of construction of knowledge by the child.