Summary of La Teoría del Desarrollo Cognitivo a Través de las Relaciones Sociales de Vygotsky

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In "La Teoría del Desarrollo Cognitivo a Través de las Relaciones Sociales de Vygotsky," the late influential psychologist argues that development occurs through social interactions. He believed that children develop at different rates, depending on the stage of their cognitive development, and rejected the idea of stages. Instead, he believed that cognitive development occurs as a result of interactions with the community. Vygotsky's theory is still relevant today for educators who wish to provide students with practice speaking with others to help them think for themselves.

• 00:00:00 According to Vygotsky, development occurs through social interactions. He believed that children develop at different rates, depending on the stage of their cognitive development, and rejected the idea of stages. Instead, he believed that cognitive development occurs as a result of interactions with the community. He identified four "mental functions" which are "elemental abilities" that are developed through social interaction: attention, sensation, perception, and memory. It is the social and cultural environment that allows children to use these abilities to develop and eventually achieve "higher mental functions". This development usually occurs in "the zone of development near-by" and is facilitated by adult assistance, technology, or another knowledgeable person. Once the process is complete, internal and spoken language become independent. Finally, Vygotsky argues that only those who learn with the help of a mentor can reach their full potential. He died of tuberculosis at the age of 37. Despite his short life, Vygotsky was one of the most influential psychologists of the 20th century, and his advice for educators is still relevant today: "Providing students with practice speaking with others helps them to think for themselves." What do you think? Can a child learn something, independent of prior developmental requirements? And, do we learn