SEPA Early Childhood

In the “zone!” As young children grow and develop, almost all of their skills and abilities begin in a shared space with someone more knowledgeable. The Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky called this space the “zone of proximal development.” It’s a fancy term, but worth unpacking because it has so many interesting implications for parents and teachers. You can visualize the idea like a continuum broken into three parts. On one side are the things your child knows and can do independently. They don’t need instruction here, because they’ve already got these skills locked down. On the opposite side are things that are simply beyond their current abilities. Here, children can’t really benefit from instruction, because the skill is just too hard. And right in the middle is the zone of proximal development - which is home to those things your child is ready to conquer with just a little help. As both parents and teachers this is where we’re wisest to focus - because it’s where all new learning occurs. In that space just beyond what we can do on our own. And what a lovely example we have here. Watch as this amazing big brother, helps his little sister to deal with her strong emotions - coaching her to pause and breathe. What they are doing together today is something little sister will soon be doing all by herself - internalizing all the tools he and others have shared. I’m particularly fond of this video because it models something else important: the instructor in this situation isn’t always an adult. Indeed, this little guy isn’t significantly older than his sister. But look at the skills he’s internalized from Mom and Dad. And now he’s become a teacher in his own right. Last week I posted a video and made reference to what I called “The Goldilocks Strategy” - which (like The Three Bears story) involved identifying activities that are “just right” for your child. It applies here as well. As you approach this week, look for activities just beyond your child’s independent functioning and face them together, with your help and guidance. You’ll be amazed by the results. —— This video via therealdougefresh on IG.