Table of Contents

• SECTION I The Vygotskian Framework: The Cultural-Historical Theory of Development
• Chapter 1 Introduction to the Vygotskian Approach
• Chapter 2 Acquiring Mental Tools and Higher Mental Functions
• Chapter 3 The Vygotskian Framework and Other Theories of Development and Learning
• SECTION II Strategies for Development and Learning
• Chapter 4 The Zone of Proximal Development
• Chapter 5 Tactics: Using Mediators
• Chapter 6 Tactics: Using Language
• Chapter 7 Tactics: Using Shared Activities
• SECTION III Applying the Vygotskian Approach to Development and Learning in Early Childhood
• Chapter 8 Developmental Accomplishments and Leading Activity: Infants and Toddlers
• Chapter 9 Supporting the Developmental Accomplishments of Infants and Toddlers
• Chapter 10 Developmental Accomplishments and the Leading Activity: Preschool and Kindergarten
• Chapter 11 Supporting the Developmental Accomplishments in Preschool and Kindergarten
• Chapter 12 Developmental Accomplishments and the Leading Activity: Primary Grades
• Chapter 13 Supporting the Developmental Accomplishments in the Primary Grades
• Chapter 14 Dynamic Assessment: Application of the Zone of Proximal Development
• Epilogue
• Glossary
• References
• Author Index
• Subject Index

Promotional Information

As the only text of its kind, this book provides in-depth information about Vygotsky's theories, neo-Vygotskians' findings, and concrete explanations and strategies that instruct teachers how to influence student learning and development. Key changes to this edition include a new chapter on dynamic assessment, separate and expanded chapters on developmental accomplishments of infants and toddlers, preschool/kindergarten, and primary grades and on supporting those accomplishments, and elaborations of Vygotsky's ideas from neo-Vygotskians from Russia. FEATURES: *Written for the beginning student, the book provides a clear discussion of Vygotskian principles including...a historical overview and a complete chapter on the "Zone of Proximal Development," (ZPD). *Each section of the book builds on the other...framework, strategies, and applications of the Vygotskian approach. *The work of Vygotsky is compared in a fair and balanced way with the work of Piaget. *Examples and activities have been class-tested in a variety of classroom environments including a Head Start program, private preschool, and in the Denver Public Schools.

About the Author

Elena Bodrova is a senior researcher at Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) in Denver, Colorado.  Prior to her coming to the United States, she was a senior researcher at the Russian Center for Educational Innovations and the Russian Institute for Preschool Education.  She received her Ph.D. from the Academy of Pedagogical Sciences, Moscow, Russia, and her M.A. from Moscow State University.  In addition to her work with Dr. Leong, she co-authored the book, For the Love of Words: Vocabulary Instruction That Works, Grades K-6 (Jossey-Bass) with Diane E. Paynter and Jane K. Doty.

 

Deborah J. Leong is a professor of psychology and the director of the Center for Improving Early Learning (CIEL) at Metropolitan State College of Denver.  She received her Ph.D. from Stanford University and her M.Ed. from Harvard University.  In addition to her work with Dr. Bodrova, she is co-author with Oralie McAfee of Assessing and Guiding Young Children's Development and Learning (Allyn & Bacon) that is now in its fourth edition.