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(Unit 8) Topic 2: Theories of Child Development

2 Clock Hours of Early Childhood Education

Theorists: Lev Vygotsky (1896-1934)

Topic 2 Page 14

Lev Vygotsky was a Russian psychologist who believed that children’s learning is influenced by their society and culture. Vygotsky believed that other people play an important role in children’s learning. Vygotsky’s theory stated that children learn through their interactions with other people in their environment including parents, teachers and peers.

Two important parts of Vygotsky’s theory are:

The Zone of Proximal Development is a term used to describe the difference between what a child can do without help and what a child can do with help. Teachers influence a young child’s learning by encouraging them to try new activities that are more difficult. Teachers, parents, other adults or an older child can guide and support the child in completing the activity.
Scaffolding is the word that is used to describe the process of guiding and supporting the child in learning a new activity or skill. The child may need more guidance the first time the puzzle is assembled but each time they assemble the puzzle they need less assistance until they are able to complete the puzzle without help.

Video: Vygotsky's Developmental Theory: An Introduction
Source: Davidson Films, Inc.
Length: 4:01 minutes
Click here to view this video on Youtube.