C3.2 Vygotsky’s Theory

Who is Vygotsky?

A Russian psychologist who believed that children’s learning and thinking developed mainly through social interaction with others.

How did Vygotsky differ from Piaget?

Vygotsky thought that adults, teachers, and peers play a key role in helping children learn, whereas development just being stages that happen naturally.

What is Vygotsky called?

A social constructivist, meaning that children “construct” (build) their knowledge and understanding of the world through social experiences with other people.

• For example, when a child bakes with an adult, they’re not only engaging in the activity, but also building new knowledge 

What is the Zone of Actual Development (ZAD)?

What a child can do on their own, without any help. This shows the child’s current ability level or what they have already mastered.

• Example: A child can complete a 10-piece puzzle by themselves. That task is in their ZAD.

What is the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)?

What a child cannot do alone, but can do with help from an adult or a more skilled peer. This is where the most effective learning happens.

• Example: A child cannot complete a 20-piece puzzle alone,
  BUT can do it with an adult guiding them (e.g., “Try this corner first”).
  This task is in their ZPD.

Who is the More Knowledgeable Other (MKO)?

A person who has more knowledge or skills than the learner. This could be an adult, teacher, parent, or even another child who knows more. They help guide and support the learner until they can do the task independently.