Lev Vygotsky’sTheories

1 Minute power point

By Janis Vorbeck

ED 562

Lev Vygotsky

• Russian psychologist and constructivist

• Lived only 34 years 1896-1934

• Wrote 7 books and several articles

Theories• Self Regulation learning to control wants and

needs and delay gratification

• Language is central to mental development

• Play -- Believed play and social interactions were crucial to development

• Scaffolded learning, building on prior learning

• ZPD– key to work in the middle for best results

Useful terms• Zone Of Proximal Development – ZPD

The area between what someone knows and what they can do with help. This is the area to work in for most effective teaching/learning

• Scaffolding

Building off what you know adding supports and help to get to the next level or stage.

• Mediators

Pictures or cues to help you remember

• Private speech

Using self talk to remind yourself what to do next

Tools of the Mind developed by

Deborah Leong and Elena Bordrova• Classrooms in 16 states and Canada.

• Washington, New Jersey , California, New Mexico and Maine to name a few.

• Curriculum that has a road map of how to get from one skill level to the next

• Promotes school readiness

• boosts self regulation skills.

Conclusion

• I believe in the theories and ideas put forth by Lev Vygotsky. I have been lucky enough to put those theories into action in a Tools of the Mind Classroom. I plan on using these ideas and activities in my classroom to promote self regulation and early reading skills.