Lev Vygotsky: The Zone Of Proximal Development

Lev Vygotsky was a Jewish-Russian Developmental Psychologist who was born on in 1896 and died at the age of thirty-eight in 1934. Vygotsky dominated interests in human beings, speech and writing was likely influenced by his education in literature and cultural history at Moscow University. Vygotsky saw how both cultural and social forces played an important role in the development of a human’s mind. His work was almost unknown to the west until his book “Thoughts and Language” was first translated and published in English in 1960.

Piaget was born during roughly the same time as Vygotsky, and his work was more prominat at the time. Piaget’s theory was mainly concerned with how human development was a result of biological foundations. Piaget

It highlights the difference between a child’s level of performance, and their potential level of performance. Within the zone of proximal development are the upper and lower boundaries. The lower boundary is what a child can achieve in problem-solving tasks without any guidance, while the upper boundary is what a child can achieve in problem-solving tasks with assistance. Tasks higher than the upper boundary are things a child will not yet be able to complete, even with guidance, as it is simply too difficult for them.

Vygotsk’s idea of scaffolding falls within the zone of proximal development. Scaffolding involves temporarily aiding a child in certain tasks until they are capable of completing them on their own. A method of scaffolding explained a certain task to a child that may be more logical to them. This would make it easier for the child to know why they are completing a task and how to properly complete it on their

The zone of proximal development has also been criticized for being too vague, as it lacks an explanation for the process of development. Although, one must take into consideration that Vygotsky’s work is incomplete due to his early death.

Despite its criticisms, Vygotsky’s theory of socio-cultural development has laid down the foundations for research in cognitive development, allowing for future developmental psychologists to further improve and adapt his theories. Vygotsky’s emphasis the teacher’s role in a child’s cognitive development has lead to a fundamental influence in the world of education. Vygotsly’s work has influenced and continues to influence ones understanding of cognitive