Your Turn: Using the ZPD
Can you think of ways you already employ the ZPD approach with your child?
A simple example would be learning to ride a bicycle. Most likely you began with a tricycle so that your child learned to peddle. Then you gave her a two-wheeler with training wheels as she learned to balance herself as she rode. And finally, you ran beside her adding just enough support as she gained confidence in her ability to try it without you or the training wheels. You withdrew support or scaffolding as she demonstrated she no longer needed it.
Now can you think of a ZPD process you might employ in teaching one of the core competencies we have identified as necessary to healthy development? ZPD fits logically with promoting Internal Discipline and Logical Thinking. But how would you apply it for Creativity & Vision or Empathy?
Using the ZPD, our kids take on new challenges with our support. But it also reminds us that we need to build in to the process our need to eventually become unnecessary. We want our children to become self-reliant. We want to connect with them around their joy at gaining greater competence and self-reliance – not their continued dependence on us.
So what skill did you choose? Mine was teaching my daughter to make chocolate chip cookies, one of life’s essential skills.