Discussion #4, Continued Work on Vygotsky

A. Why is it important as a teacher to understand what children are:

•  interested in?
• thinking about?
• attempting to create or problem-solve?
• how does this knowledge support further development?

B.  Note teaching  strategies that enable you to learn about the child or children’s thinking:

• decriptive language, narration
• waiting for the child’s or children’s language, response
• open-ended relevant questions based on the child’s perspective
• assistance with relevant additional materials

C.  Vygotsky’s theories of learning are based on adult: child relationships and peer:peer interactions,         what is the value in learning and advancing development through:

• specific and meaningful grasp of what the child is focused on
• opportunity for further experience supported by Amplification
• scaffolding as assistance through the child’s perspective 
• intentional in the strategies and support to assist children in entering the Zone of Proximal Development