Tools of the Mind: The Vygotskian Approach to Early Childhood Education (2nd Edition)

This Unique Text Provides In-depth Information About Major Concepts And Principles Of The Cultural-historical Theory Developed By Lev Vygotsky, His Students And Colleagues, As Well As Three Generations Of Neo-vygotskian Scholars In Russia And In The West. Tools Of The Mind Enables Teachers To Arm Young Children With The Mental Tools Necessary For Learning.--book Jacket. Section I. The Vygotskian Framework : The Cultural-historical Theory Of Development -- 1. Introduction To The Vygotskian Approach -- Tools Of The Mind -- Why Mental Tools Are Important -- History Of The Vygotskian Approach -- The Vygotskian Framework : Principles Of Psychology And Education -- For Further Reading -- 2. Acquiring Mental Tools And Higher Mental Functions -- The Purpose Of Tools -- Language : The Universal Tool -- The Concept Of Higher Mental Functions -- The Development Of Higher Mental Functions -- Individual Differences In The Development Of Mental Functions -- Compensating For The Deficits In The Development Of Higher And Lower Mental Functions : Vygotskian Approach To Special Education -- For Further Reading -- 3. The Vygotskian Framework And Other Theories Of Development And Learning -- Piaget's Constructivist Approach -- Behaviorist Theories -- Information Processing Theory -- Critique Of The Vygotskian Approach -- For Further Reading -- Section Ii. Strategies For Development And Learning -- 4. The Zone Of Proximal Development -- Defining The Zone Of Proximal Development -- Independent Performance And Assisted Performance -- Using The Zpd To Study Development -- Implications For Learning/teaching -- Using The Zpd To Teach -- For Further Reading -- 5. Tactics : Using Mediators -- Mediator As Mental Tools -- The Function Of Mediators -- Developmental Path Of Mediators -- Mediation Of Social And Emotional Behaviors -- External Mediation Of Cognition -- Using Mediators In The Classroom -- For Further Reading -- 6. Tactics : Using Language -- Language As A Cultural Tool -- The Functions Of Speech -- Developmental Path Of Speech -- The Development Of Meaning -- The Development Of Written Speech -- Using Language In The Classroom -- For Further Reading -- 7. Tactics : Using Shared Activities -- Interaction During Shared Activity -- How Shared Activity Promotes Learning -- Shared Activity, Other-regulation, And Self-regulation -- The Role Of The Teacher In Shared Activity -- The Role Of Peers In Shared Activity -- For Further Reading -- Section Iii. Applying The Vygotskian Approach To Development And Learning In Early Childhood -- 8. Developmental Accomplishments And Leading Activity : Infants And Toddlers -- The Concept Of Developmental Accomplishment -- The Concept Of Leading Activity -- Developmental Accomplishments Of Infancy -- Leading Activity Of Infants : Emotional Interactions With Caregivers -- Developmental Accomplishments Of Toddlers -- Leading Activity Of Toddlers : Object-oriented Activity -- For Further Reading -- 9. Supporting The Developmental Accomplishments Of Infants And Toddlers -- Supporting Infants From Birth To 6 Months -- Supporting Infants From 6 To 12 Months Old -- Supporting Toddlers From 12 To 24 Months Old -- Supporting Toddlers From 24 To 36 Months Old : Transition From Toddlerhood To Preschool -- For Further Reading -- 10. Developmental Accomplishments And Leading Activity : Preschool And Kindergarten -- Developmental Accomplishments -- Make-believe Play : The Leading Activity -- How Play Influences Development -- The Developmental Path Of Play -- Nonplay Activities In Preschool/kindergarten -- School Readiness -- For Further Reading -- 11. Supporting The Developmental Accomplishments In Preschool And Kindergarten -- Scaffolding Make-believe Play As A Leading Activity -- Levels Of Play Found In The Preschool/kindergarten Classroom -- Scaffolding Other Activities In The Preschool/kindergarten Classroom -- For Further Reading -- 12. Developmental Accomplishments And Leading Activity : Primary Grades -- Formal Schooling And Development In The Primary Grades -- The Developmental Accomplishments Of The Elementary School Child -- Leading Activity : Learning Activity -- For Further Reading -- 13. Supporting The Developmental Accomplishments In The Primary Grades -- Supporting The Critical Elements Of Learning Activity -- Step-by-step Formation As A Way To Support The Development Of Learning Actions -- Scaffolded Writing--the Application Of Step-by-step Formation To Writing -- Supporting Primary-grade Children Who Are Missing The Developmental Accomplishments Of Preschool And Kindergarten Years -- For Further Reading -- 14. Dynamic Assessment : Application Of The Zone Of Proximal Development -- Traditional Vs. Dynamic Assessment -- What Is Dynamic Assessment? -- For Further Reading. Elena Bodrova, Deborah J. Leong. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 213-223) And Indexes.