The key theme of Vygotsky’s theory is that social interaction plays a very important role in cognitive Development
He believed that individual development could not be understood without looking into the social and cultural context within which development happens.
Because of his experience when he was a young boy, together with his interest in literature and his work as a teacher, led him to recognize social interaction and language as two central factors in cognitive development. his theory became known as the SOCIO-CULTURAL THEORY of DEVELOPMENT
Social Interaction
He emphasized that effective learning happens through participation in social activities, making the social context of learning crucial.
Language Language opens the door for learners to acquire knowledge that others already have. Learners can use language to know and understand the world and solve problems. It serves a social function but it also has an important individual function. It helps the learner to regulate and reflect on his own thinking.
Private Speech it is a form of self-talk that guides the child’s thinking and action.
“Children can learn better through hands-on activities than passive listening”
Zone of actual development VS Zone of proximal development
In ZONE OF ACTUAL DEVELOPMENT , a child attempts to perform a skill alone, s/he may not be proficient at it. So, alone s/he may perform at a certain level of competency.
While in ZONE OF PROXIMAL DEVELOPMENT, with the guidance of a competent adult or a more advanced peer, the child can perform at a higher level of competency.
scaffolding the support or assistance that lets the child accomplish a task s/he cannot accomplish independently. it is not about doing short cuts for the child. when it is done appropriately , it can make a learner confident and eventually s/he can accomplish the task independently without any need for