Vygotsky: Social Cultural Theory

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Vygotsky: Social Cultural Theory Lynda Smith ECE311: Early Childhood Curriculum and Methods Carly Davenport June 4, 2012 Vygotsky: Social Cultural Theory In the United States, kindergarten is for five and six year old children. These young children are learning through investigation, experimentation and inquiry. They are starting to think logically and understand abstract ideas. They are learning to develop friendships, and fine tune their social behavior as noted by Eliason & Jenkins (2012). Early childhood teachers need to formulate and develop their curriculum based on the developmental needs, interests, strengths, learning styles, cultural background, and previous learning experiences of their students, understanding that all children learn differently, but all children can learn and be successful. Child centered learning is a philosophy that is reflective of the social cultural theory of Lev Vygotsky. He believed that teachers should be facilitators and a partner in their students learning. Vygotsky believed that a child’s experiences from the past with people, places and things provided a framework for their knowledge, as noted by Jaramillo (1996). This concept focuses on children taking an active role in their learning through social interaction with others and objects. He believed that social learning proceeds development, and that social experiences shape a child’s thinking and helps them to understand the world around them. In this paper, I will attempt to show that by incorporating the social cultural theory of Vygotsky into the curriculum and activities of a kindergarten classroom, children will be provided with a foundation for lifelong learning. My personal philosophy of education is a combination of the developmental theories of Piaget, Vygotsky and my own beliefs, values and philosophy on life. Together, I feel they will

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