Research Paper On Lev Lygotsky

Through play they are able to learn their environment and it helps with learning. In the area of language development preschoolers are developing well as they learn more words and are very verbal. Children are more vocal about their surroundings, feelings, and other individuals. It is important to pay attention to speech during this time as most delays in language are noticed during this stage of development. “It is important to encourage talk at this time, and to seek advice from a specialist if any delays are suspected.” (Christina J. Groark, Stephanie K. McCarthy, Afton R. Kirk, 2014) Socially children are developing as they show interest in playing with other children. “Children are driven by the desire to be liked and place the utmost importance on friends.” (Christina J. Groark, Stephanie K. McCarthy, Afton R. Kirk, 2014) It is during this period they children learn how to share and respect other feelings. Children learn how to follow rules and know their boundaries during this stage of development. Each stage of development is essential in how well children are able to enjoy the exciting time of preschool.

Sara Smilansky is a Developmental Theorist who has identified four types of play: Functional play, Constructive play, Dramatic play, and games with rules. Smilansky says that Dramatic play is the most mature type of play because this is the time where children start to understand their surroundings and imitate what they see others doing. The research on play focused on sociodramatic play and the impact it has on children’s learning. In Smilansky’s book ‘The Effects of Sociodramatic play on Disadvantaged Preschool Children’, she says that “…a form of voluntary social play activity in which preschool children participate”.

In the “Study of the Child: Theories of Development I” (Learning Seed, 1997), according to Vygotsky, the cognitive development in children is in direct relationship, and dependent on interaction with others. (Feldman 2010, pg. 20). Vygotsky believed to truly understand cognitive development; a child’s social and cultural experiences must be considered.

Play is the way children learn and is a word that is used to describe the different activities behaviours that children participate in, this would concur with “Vygotsky’s (1978) social constructivist theory that suggests that play promotes both mental and social development for children” (cited in Goulding, 2016, p16). Early childhood educators such as Froebel and Vygotsky have always promoted the importance of the outdoor learning environment. According to Vygotsky (1978), children learn through interacting with the environment and through social interaction with others. Social constructivist theory, believes play is important for the growth of a child’s cognitive emotional and social development and

Vygotsky’s theory can be applied in a daycare setting to foster cognitive development. When guiding children, the adult-child dialogue, scaffolding, and the zone of proximal development are important for their cognitive development. Vygotsky believed that cognitive development required social interaction to develop fully (Manheimer, 2015). The need for language and communication is especially important in a daycare setting. Children are encouraged to participate in social interactions when being in a daycare around many other children and other adults. Vygotsky

According to Lev Vygotsky, in the article Play: The Work of Lev Vygotsky (2017), when children partake in play they are building their language and cognitive development

The social element of symbolic play is a vital aspect to be taken into account in the cognitive development of children. Vygotsky (1978) theorised that children learn and practice social skills with their parents, and they develop this learning through social interactions. Piaget also emphasised the significance of social interaction so the child can progress outside of their egocentrism that is linked to the pre operational stage. (London, 2001) Similansky 1968 also supported Piaget theory, and studied the impact that symbolic play has on children’s cognitive and social development. The Smilansky scale developed by Smilansky and Shefatya in 1990 assesses the child’s maturity through socio-dramatic play, identifying five elements.

Lev Vygotsky believed that social and cognitive development work simultaneously to build and evolve on one another. He believed that social, cultural and personal experience cannot be detached from each other and many things influence the way children learn and develop, not just their own experiences, thus Vygotsky’s socio-cultural theory. Vygotsky’s ideas were and remain controversial as he had no specific training in psychology or children’s development. His preeminent contribution to children’s development is his recognition of the value of progressing knowledge by means of interaction with educators, peers and family (Mooney, 2000, p. 83). The major ideas of Vygotsky’s theory are scaffolding and the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). Scaffolding is a process Vygotsky described as the framework or temporary support for children’s learning. In order for scaffolding to be beneficial, it must be responsive to the child’s needs (Coon & Mitterer, 2013, pp. 106-107).

This document examines the current research as well as the views from theorists such as Vygotsky who believe that play supports children in all areas of development (CMEC, 2012). When children are playing they are learning and discovering a great deal of information about their world. In the document it provides information about the scientific evidence supporting learning through play and the benefits that it has on brain development (CMEC, 2012). It has been proven that children will develop better social, emotional and cognitive skills when they are playing (CMEC, 2012). Through play children are able to make sense of their world and acquire and practice skills that they can use for their entire lives. In the document that the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada released it emphasizes the need for children to play and to be actively engaged in their environment (CMEC, 2012). This documents states that early childhood educators should plan and create play- based learning experiences for children (CMEC, 2012). I think it is important that early childhood educators recognize the importance in play based learning and provide children with experiences that encourage them to challenge and expand their own thinking and

Play should involve children interacting with their teachers and peers. Children can develop their language through play (E.g. Nursery rhymes and verbal jokes.) Language must be modelled by adults in order for children to develop their own language skills correctly. Children give themselves challenges and set their own targets when they are playing and can do this according to their own interests and it makes them aware of their strengths and abilities.

Observing T over the past five weeks, and the three observations that I have documented, provided many patterns that I have noticed when it comes to T and how he interacts with not only his peers, but also the materials in the classroom. T often plays with and uses material that can essentially be open-ended and up to his interpretation. T’s play is critical in his language acquisition, with him being only two years old. “However, the knowledge that forms the foundation for reading and writing is built throughout early childhood through play, language, and literacy experiences.” (Pinell & Fountas, 2011,p.21). T’s main source of talk occurs while he is engaged in play by himself or with other children. T also chooses when to talk and when to

There are numerous theories of play and countless theorists, from Freud and Spencer to Piaget and Vygotsky, who have studied play in relation to what it is and what it does for the child. This essay will outline the definition and value of play and the importance of how it can foster the child’s learning in regards to these theorists who studied the effects in great detail. It will discuss the how the environments constructed by educators can impact play and the theories of learning relating to the quote “play and learning are inextricably woven together ...” Ebbeck and Waniganayake, 2010, p. 5).

Play is usually a natural activity in early childhood and has significant importance in early childhood special education. Play assists in enhancing the children social competence, creativity, language development, and their thinking skills. Play is usually the key vehicle for the developing of language, social skulls in young children (Rogers ET all. 2009). Moreover, it serves as a functional behavior which contributes to the life quality of the children. .

“For young children, there is no distinction between play and learning; they are one and the same. Playing is a priority in early childhood, yet not all play is the same” (Butler, 2008, p. 1). Since the beginning of mankind children have imitated adults and learned to survive through play. Evidence of this includes toys and board games from 6,000 years ago that have been found in Egypt and Asia (Dollinger, 2000). In the last two centuries, child’s play has been observed and studied by theorists and recognized as an important tool for adult life. Three theorists that studied children and spent their lives researching how children develop were Erik Erikson, Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky. These theorists agreed that from the time a child is

Play is a part of our lives! There are playgrounds everywhere: in parks, fast-food restaurants, malls, schools and homes. Playing with peers, toys, blocks, music, dance, sociodramatic play and coloring are important for young children’s development progress. Effective early childhood educators help and develop young children’s innate capacity for learning. Especially teaching young children, fun activity helps them easily learn language. Teachers should encourage conversation between children. Through practices, preschoolers have more opportunities to speak. Learning while playing, preschoolers easily adapt to new environments and make successful transitions to kindergarten. Once their language skills are developed, they are ready to read and write.