LEV VYGOTSKY

Russia, 1896-1934

“LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT ARE INTERRELATED FROM THE CHILD’S VERY FIRST DAY OF LIFE.”

Lev Vygotsky

Vygotsky’s Theories Sigmund Freud, Jean Piaget, Maria

Motessori. He objected to the analysis of

children’s abilities based on intelligence tests.

Research on children should be qualitative and quantitative.

Social and cognitive development work together.

Children personal and social experience cannot be separated.

Children develop language skills and grasp new concepts as they speak to and listen to each other.

Learning takes place when children play.

ZONE OF PROXIMAL DEVELOPMENT “The distance between the most

difficult task a child can do alone and the most difficult task a child can do with help.”

Scaffolding: The assistance a teacher or peer offers a child.

Teachers need to be keen observers.

ZONE OF PROXIMAL DEVELOPMENT

Scaffolding: The assistance a teacher or peer offers a child.

Teachers need to be keen observers.

What to do? Observe children carefully Plan challeging curriculum to

stretch children’s competences. Pair up children

Language Development and Learning Talking is necessary to clarify

important points and learn more about communication.

Encourage conversations. Social interaction allow children to

grow mentally.