What are foundational assumptions?

Foundational assumptions are like the starting rules of a game that everyone agrees on before they begin playing.

Imagine you're building a tower with blocks. You might say, "We all agree that each block has to be placed on top of another one." That rule is your foundational assumption, it’s something everyone accepts so the game (or the tower) can work properly.

If you're playing tag at the park, the rules might say, "You have to run when you're tagged," or "You can’t hide behind trees." These are like foundational assumptions, they help everyone know how to play without confusion. If someone changed the rule mid-game, it would feel unfair and confusing.

Just as rules help kids build towers or play fair games, foundational assumptions help grown-ups understand big ideas in science, math, and even stories. They’re like invisible blocks that everything else stands on, you might not see them, but they're always there, helping things make sense.