L.S. Vygotsky (Lev Semyonovich Vygotsky)

Lev Semyonovich Vygotsky was a Soviet psychologist best known for his theory of cognitive development. He believed that social interaction and language are fundamental to how children learn and develop thinking skills. Vygotsky introduced the concept of the “Zone of Proximal Development” (ZPD), which is the gap between what a child can do alone and what they can achieve with guidance from a more knowledgeable person. His ideas emphasize that learning is a social process, shaped by culture, communication, and collaboration, profoundly influencing education and developmental psychology.