Vygotsky's Theory of Cognitive Development

With adults using both formal schooling and informal conversations, children are able to see how their cultures interpret and respond to the world (p.40)

Physical and cognitive tools are passes down by each culture and help makes children daily living more efficient (p.40)

Self-talk

A complex mental process which social activities evolve into internal mental activities (p.40)

Children transform their ideas, strategies, and other cognitive tools in their own idiosyncratic manner (p.40)

Assisted by more educated individual helps children accomplish more difficult tasks (p.40)

Level of potential development

Actual developmental level

Difficult tasks helps children maximum cognitive growth (p.40)

Zone of proximal development

Play allows children to cognitively “stretch” themselves (p.40)