A Case Study of Implementing the Vygotskian Approach in American Early Childhood and Primary Classrooms

Specific problematic issues addressed , page 8 Vygotsky's theory of learning and development, page 9 Subsequent developments in the Cultural-Historical Theory as a foundation for instructional practices, page 13 Description of the innovation, page 17 The authors are responsible for the choice and presentation of the facts contained in this publication and for the opinions expressed therein, which are not necessarily those of UNESCO:IBE and do not commit the Organization. The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO or UNICEF concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. have collaborated since 1992 when Dr Bodrova came to the United States from the Russian Federation, where she had worked at the Institute of PreSchool Education and the Centre for Educational Innovations. They co-authored one of the defining books on Lev Vygotsky's educational theories, Tools of the mind: The Vygotskian approach to early childhood education (1996, Merril/Prentice Hall) and four educational videos (Davidson Films). Dr Bodrova is currently working for Mid-Continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL), Colorado. Dr Leong is a professor at Metropolitan State College of Denver since 1976. She has also co-authored a college textbook: Assessing and guiding young children's development and learning (1997, Allyn & Bacon). 3 Foreword The Tools of the Mind project aims to foster the cognitive development of young children in relation to early literacy learning. The authors of the project have developed a number of tools to support early learning and a highly innovative method for training teachers in using these approaches. Piloting of the approaches has demonstrated their potential to develop children's early literacy skills and they are being increasingly used in early childhood education programmes across the United States. The project is the result of collaborative work between Russian and American education researchers, based on the theories of Vygotsky, applied to the cultural context of the United States. This monograph describes the development and piloting of the project, including the creation of the Early Learning Advisor, a computerized assessment system which provides direct advice to teachers on the developmental levels of their individual students, and gives them suggestions about how to apply the innovative teaching concepts in their daily work in the classroom.