Vygotsky´s Zone Proximal Development

839 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Vygotsky's zone of proximal development

Vygotsky has had a profound impact on developmental psychology. One of his main contributions was the idea of zone proximal development. He places emphasis the shaping of cognitive development. He is one of the first in children development that emphasized on cultural context. I have chosen his theory and what it entails for this paper because its very interesting and some certain parts of his theory like scaffolding and the zone proximal development were relatable to my experience at my field site. This theorist believed that our minds, cognition, and psychological abilities could be development with mental tools as much our physical tools expand our physical abilities. This concept is called the “tools of the mind”. This is something that can be useful to all educators, tutors, and parents. They can reassure the youth that they should not limit themselves and be all that can be to the best of their abilities. When “tools of the mind” is applied to children, especially at an early age this can increase their chances of being able to effectively function in school and in the world. They need to gain a set of tools, well “mental tools” and conquer them. As a service learner I feel that’s partly what we are put at these sites for. We should be helping the students and try our best to encourage them to use their mental tools to advance them. Some of these students don’t know they have the tools that can allow them to resolve problems. This concept of the “tools of the mind” state that until children discover and learn their mental tools the environment controls their learning. When they master their mental tools they will be in control of their learning. Along with converting cognitive behavior, mental tools transform emotional and... ... middle of paper ... ...terview. They could say what they liked about the student doing interview, maybe how they spoke or greeted them selves to the mock interviewers or what they would have done better. We were somewhat coaching them. They’re more they prepare of something the better their chances are at succeeding. I believe scaffolding can help children in a tremendous amount of ways. Even with that minor use of it with the mock interviews, I am positive that they will be more comfortable and less afraid to go on, for some of them their first interviews. To put it briefly, I love a lot of developmental theorist but Vygotsky’s theory really spoke to me. It can be applied in a classroom as well as afterschool programs, even at home with parents. The theory is practical for young children to adolescent ages and can help any educator, counselor, psychologist and etc. in helping our youth.

Show More
Related

  • Essay On Cognitive Development

    1288 Words  | 3 Pages

    Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory was his main focus and it helped him make sense of a person’s cognitive development through the way they interaced with others and emphasised on one’s social interaction (blabla). Vygotsky focused on how learning consisted of gathering knowledge and skills from the social community and the different attractions a person observes (v2); a process known as internationalization. His theory was based on two key concepts, first that knowledge can be developed through the experiences a child lives (v1), and an example would be a child seeing his parents arguing over their beliefs; he’d learn how he should have his own belief...

    Read More

  • Lev Vygotsky's Sociocultural Perspective

    137 Words  | 1 Pages

    Sociocultural theory was introduced by the psychologist Lev Vygotsky, a contemporary of Sigmund Freud and B.F. Skinner. Vygotsky believed that parents, caregivers and the culture at large were responsible for a child's cognitive development, especially in regards to the development of higher order functions. From this perspective, when children are participating in an activity with a peer, caregiver or parent, their actions are based upon the environment in which they learned to navigate social relationships. As children age, their personalities and capacities are further developed by their interactions in a particular society, determined by cultural and historical events. A sociocultural perspective would be utilized in a situation in which

    Read More

  • Cultural Differences in Child Development Expectations

    2031 Words  | 5 Pages

    For this researchers the main question consist in weather to accept or not the existence of “cognitive universals” which the cultural context will condition and modernise (Laboratory of Comparative Human Cognition, 1983) in other words, if there are “equally valid patterns of life that mankind has created for himself”.(Das Gupta 1994). But in which ways these universal patterns are affected by historical and cultural context? What do different people expect from children and their development? Social influences have made many theories about child development arise and many other researches have been carried about this matter.

    Read More

  • Theories of Child Development

    1024 Words  | 3 Pages

    Lev Vygotsky stages of development were not defined by age or biology. Social and cultural experiences were the basis for his theory. Consciousness was an end product of social interactions (Kearsley, 1994-2010). The history of the child’s society and his own personal history determine how the child thinks. Language is crucial for development as it is with words that a child conceptualizes and makes sense of the world (Schütz, 2004). A precept of Vygotsky’s theory wa...

    Read More

  • Compare Vygotsky And Piaget

    1067 Words  | 3 Pages

    Lev Vygotsky and Jean Piaget are the two most influential developmental psychologists in history so one might think they would have very similar theories but this could not be more wrong. Piaget (1896-1980) Piaget 's theory stems from the idea that children develop in mostly solitary and are unable to see others perspective and progress through four stages of development(book). A major challenge to Piaget’s theory is Lev Vygotsky’s (1896-1934) sociohoristic theory which suggests that children acquire the tools of thinking and learning through social interacrtion with family and peers (seans book). Both of these psychologists’ theories are very similar in a number of ways but have a few crucial differences which separate them. (BOOK)

    Read More

  • Debate on Educational Constructivist Approach: Windschitl V.S. Hirsch

    1070 Words  | 3 Pages

    This reading reminded me about how Vygotsky’s theory is mostly based on the interactions and influences help children to learn. I really do believe this theory is very accurate, because students can learn from each other. If a teacher is having trouble explaining a complex topic to a student, another student can explain it in more relatable way. Also, I was fascinated when I read about what cultural tools, were and how they related to Vygotsky’s beliefs. Learning about what cultural tools were, helped me to broaden my understanding of how crucial cultural tools are to student’s learning process. Also, the chapter did a great job of elaborating on how these tools can help to advance and grow in the understanding of student’s thinking process. Another aspect of this reading that interested me was the elaboration on private speech and the Zone of Proximal Development. Each of the definitions displayed help me to advance my own thinking on what it was and how it is used in regards to the education of students. The description of what private speech and how it is basically the inner narration of their thinking process helped me to understand how this aspect can help with students learning. Also, the Zone of Proximal Development helped me to make a connection to both what is and how it relates to private speech as well. The Zone of proximal development plays a crucial role in the

    Read More

  • Lev Vygotsky and Social Development Theory

    1031 Words  | 3 Pages

    ZaretsKii, V. (2009, November–December). The Zone of Proximal Development: What Vygotsky Did Not Have Time to Write. Journal of Russian and East European Psychology, 47(6,), 70–93.

    Read More

  • Vygotsky Nature Vs Nurture Theory

    962 Words  | 2 Pages

    Nature versus nurture is an argument in psychology over whether a person’s innate qualities and behaviors are caused from their environment or if they’re born with it. Vygotsky places more emphasis on the social factors that contribute to cognitive development, in other words he is in favor of the nurture argument. He believes that everyone learns from their culture, environment, and social interactions. He talks about a few of his theories like the zone of proximal development, and a more knowledgeable other. He also expresses his thoughts on developmental tools and the importance of language to cognitive development. All of these factors together support his idea that children’s behavior is learned.

    Read More

  • Similarities And Differences Between Piaget And Vygotsky

    1377 Words  | 3 Pages

    In regards to child development, Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky are both highly regarded and well known for their theories. Some educators view themselves as Piagetian while others view themselves as Vygotskians. They see Piaget and Vygotsky as being vastly different. Then there are others who see similarities between the two and hold both Piaget and Vygotsky as correct in their theories. The purpose of this paper is to examine the similarities and differences between Piaget and Vygotsky and determine what can be gained by better understanding these theories.

    Read More

  • Similarities And Similarities Between Piaget And Vygotsky

    1342 Words  | 3 Pages

    The similarities in the theories, including the development perspective and dialectical approach, are very complex and focus upon the fundamentals of each theory. The differences in each theory make them very unique, including the autonomous and heteronomous approaches for each respective theory. The four cognitive stages of Piaget’s theory, including sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operations, and formal operations, provide a clear, effective progression of an individual’s development path from infancy to adulthood. This is very unique to Piaget’s theory and is utilized immensely in academic studies of psychology. The fundamental aspects of Vygotsky’s theory, including cultural and historical factors contributing to the individual’s development is also very unique and is regularly utilized in academic studies. Without the research that each theorist conducted and presented, the psychology studies that we know today would not be the same. The work of both respective theorists will continue to be utilized in academia and in psychology for many years to

    Read More

  • Comparing Piaget and Vygotsky

    2169 Words  | 5 Pages

    Cognition is the process involved in thinking and mental activity, such as attention, memory and problem solving. In this essay on cognitive development I will compare and contrast the theories of Piaget and Vygotsky, who were both influential in forming a more scientific approach to analyzing the cognitive development process of the child active construction of knowledge. (Flanagan 1996 P.72). I will then evaluate the usefulness of these theories in understanding a child's development.

    Read More

  • Jean Piaget And Lev Vygotsky's Cognitive Development

    887 Words  | 2 Pages

    By using Vygotsky’s theory, educators are able to realize what a child is able to do with assistance and they can help a child develop the skills on their own. They are engaged in the discovery process, but they are receiving guidance from a more knowledgeable source.

    Read More

  • Piaget And Vygotsky Essay

    1604 Words  | 4 Pages

    For Vygotsky, children are seen as active beings on their development through social interactions with parents, teachers, and other adults, as well as by participating in their cultural activities. The interactions they have with other individuals and their culture opens their minds to new information and helps develop skills not previously attained. To further understand cognitive development in Piaget and Vygotsky’s theory, we must first look at the processes involved.

    Read More

  • Advantages And Disadvantages Of Piaget's Theory

    1323 Words  | 3 Pages

    The second developmental theory is the sociocultural theory. The major theorist for this theory is Lev Vygotsky. Who was born in 1896 and died in 1934. He was a Russian theorist whose work didn’t actually get out until after his death because of the communist nature of Russia. The biggest part of this theory is that it’s less trial and error learning and more a person with more knowledge teaching the child. It really puts an emphasis on the teacher. He does say though that a peer with more knowledge can teach the child too. The weakness of this theory is he basically ignores the biological side of development. Also he makes it seem like the child has no control over their own future. The biggest pro is that it shows adults, primarily educators, that the world around them heavily effects the child’s education and life. That pro is also affecting the way we use it from an education stand point. We have to realize that each kid has a different upbringing and different culture outside the classroom. While I am not saying make a lesson plan for each kid. just try to be more individual with each

    Read More

  • Vygotsky's Cognitive Development

    1022 Words  | 3 Pages

    Some factors that influence young children’s cognitive development are the environmental community in which they are engaged in. According to Vygotsky, he believed children’s thinking is affected by their knowledge of the social community. Engaging students in social groups is another factor that influence’s a child’s cognitive development, and it shows value of learning skills . According to the text, Vygotsky stated “that in order to measure a child’s intellectual skills and their changes through the course of learning and development, he believed that experiments should be conducted” (Driscoll, 2005).

    Read More

More about Vygotsky´s Zone Proximal Development

Open Document