Lev Vygotsky was a Russian psychologist who developed theories about child development and learning, including the concept of the zone of proximal development. He believed that social interaction and play were crucial to development. His theories formed the basis for Tools of the Mind, a curriculum used in classrooms in the U.S. and Canada to promote self-regulation and early reading skills through scaffolded learning within a child's ZPD.

1. Lev Vygotsky’s
Theories
1 Minute power point
By Janis Vorbeck
ED 562

2. Lev Vygotsky
• Russian psychologist and constructivist
• Lived only 34 years 1896-1934
• Wrote 7 books and several articles

3. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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.