Final answer:
The mother is adhering to a constructivist development approach, which is in line with Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, where children learn through experience and interaction with their environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mother's view that her 16-month-old is exploring and conducting trial-and-error experiments, similar to how a scientist would, aligns with Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development. According to Piaget, children naturally exhibit inquisitiveness and learn about their environment through interaction and experimentation. In this context, the commitment to letting a child explore and learn through trial-and-error reflects the belief that cognitive abilities develop through specific stages as asserted by Piaget. Therefore, the mother subscribes to a constructivist development approach, which emphasizes an active learning process where knowledge is constructed through experience.