Fundamental, immutable (usually physical) concepts that appear early in development and subsequently constrain the development of related concepts. As such, they serve as ‘building blocks’ for subsequent achievements ranging from educational ones to health and economic productivity. One approach to core concepts as developmental foundations emphasises the dynamic relationship between the developing brain and experience.
See Balance scale task, Constraint, Data-driven processes, Experience, Foundational knowledge, Non-core concepts, Intuitive theory of something, Nativism, Physical knowledge