Zone of

Proximal
DeveloPment
by lev
vygotsky
Zone of Proximal Development
(ZPD) was a key construct in Lev
Vygotsky’s theory of learning and
development.

ZPD is defined as the range of tasks

that a child can perform with the
help and guidance of others but
cannot yet perform independently.

Two levels of ZPD:

First level: Actual development
level - the upper limit of tasks one
can perform independently.
Second level: Potential
development level - the upper
limit of tasks that one can perform
with the assistance of a more
competent individual.

Key Components of the

Zone of Proximal
Development
- The presence of someone with
the knowledge and skills to guide
the learner

- Supportive activities, known as

scaffolding, provided by the expert
that help guide the learner
- Social interactions that allow the
learner to work on their skills and
abilities

Scaffolding Theory
Scaffolding is a learning tools that
students use to advance levels in
the zone of proximal development.

Examples of scaffolding that

educators may use:

- Asking a student what they think

should be done next, what their
thought process was, or if there are
other ways the problem can be
solved

- Putting students in small groups

and having them discuss a new
concept before engaging in it
- Using visual aids to help students
conceptualize a task prior to
engaging in it

- Asking students to use prior

knowledge to better understand
more complex topics

Steps to apply the Zone of

Proximal Development
and Scaffolding in a
classroom
1. Identify your student’s ZPD
2. Have regular individual sessions
with your students
3. Encourage peer-to-peer
interaction
4. Tailor tasks and allocate
problems
Conclusion:

The use of Vygotsky’s zone of

proximal development and
scaffolding in a learning
environment can cultivate a
collaborative learning space that
utilizes each student’s learning
preferences and helps them
approach tasks in a systematic
manner.