Born June 21, 1880

Alma, Wisconsin
Died May 29,
1961 (aged 80) New
Haven, Connecticut

Fields Psychology
Alma mater University of Wisconsin
—Madison Yale
Arnold Gesell University
Known for Studies in child
development
Gesell concluded that children go through predictable stages of growth. In
fact, Gesell's theory formed the basis for just about every other
developmental theory since his time. Some of the key points associated
with his theory include:
• Although all children cycle through the same stages or sequences of
growth, they don't enter the stages at the same time. Each child has its
own unique pace.
• Pacing is influenced by internal factors, such as physical and mental
development, genetics, personality and temperament.
• Pacing is also influenced by external factors, like parenting style,
environment, peers, culture and health.
• Children's development changes due to a feeling of equilibrium, or calm
plateau's of learning, and disequilibrium, an unsettled time of rapid
growth and learning.
 Born November 17, 1896
Orsha City, Russia
Died 11 June 1934, Moscow,
Russia
Fields Psychology
Alma mater Moscow State University

Known for Studies in child

development and
Lev Vygotsky education, psychology of
art and language
development.
 3 Major Themes
• Social Interaction
• The More Knowledgeable Other
(MKO)
• Zone of Proximal Development
 Social Interaction
• Vygotsky felt social learning anticipates development.
He states: “Every function in the child’s cultural development
appears twice: first, on the social level, and later, on the
individual level; first, between people (interpsychological) and
then inside the child (intrapsychological).”

• He believes that young children are curious and actively

involved in their own learning and the discovery and
development of new understandings.
 The More Knowledgeable Other (MKO)
•MKO refers to someone who has a better understanding or a higher
ability level than the learner, with respect to a particular task,
process, or concept.
For example: Teachers, Other adults, Advanced
students, sometimes even computers.
• Many times, a child's peers or an adult's children may be the
individuals with more knowledge or experience.
For example: Who would know more about the latest teen
music group, how to be the newest black ops game, or what is the
latest dance moves, a child or their parent?
 Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)
• This is an important concept that relates to the difference
between what a child can achieve independently and what a
child can achieve with guidance and encouragement from a
skilled partner. According to Vygotsky learning occurs here.
• Vygotsky sees the ZPD as the area where the most sensitive
instruction or guidance should be
given, allowing the child to develop skills they will then use on
their own, developing higher mental functions.
 Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)
An example would be reading a book with a child.
• They are reading the words of the book out loud to you as you follow
along.
• They come across a word that in unfamiliar to them and ask for help.
• Instead of directly telling them the word, show them pictures of ask them
questions about what they just read.
• They will figure the word out on their own and come to
understand what the word means on their own.
• They will later learn to do it themselves first before asking for help.
Thank you for
listening 