Post 7

Vygotsky emphasized the importance of social activity and social learning in a child's cognitive development. He notes that children are curious and want to know how things work. They often ask "why." One of the aspects of Vygotsky's theory on social learning and cognitive development is that children are apprentices in thinking. This means that children learn from observing, helping, and being taught by older people (including parents or older siblings) in their society. Another aspect of Vygotsky's theory pertaining to cognitive development is scaffolding. This is used to help children eventually reach a level where they can do something alone. In scaffolding, a teacher, parent, or any adult provides assistance to a child who is trying to complete something or learn something. Slowly, the adult lessens the amount of assistance given to that child until he or she is able to work alone. Private speech is another aspect of Vygotsky's theory on cognitive development. Private speech is when a child talks to himself or herself either silently or aloud. Children do this when trying to make a decision, explain something, or review something.