Vygotsky vs Piaget

                I agree with both Piaget and Vygotsky’s theories of child development. I agree that all children go through Piaget’s stages, although the rate that this happens varies based on Vygotsky’s theory of social interaction. Vygotsky explains different factors that affect development such as social relations and the need for mentorship, where Piaget outlines the specified stages of cognitive development as well as the ways we organize information. Both theories are correct however I tend to see myself siding with Vygotsky’s theory of child development. In my future career as a teacher as well as my current job as a lifeguard instructor I use Vygotsky’s scaffolding and assessment approach, as well as his zone of proximal development theory. I think learning should be done collaboratively and that mentoring and scaffolding assistance is required for a child to fully grasp a new concept. I also agree that the advanced knowledge we have today was once originated from a very basic step that had to be built upon and practiced. I think the connections we make to friends and the support we get from parents, aids in cognitive development. We can have a superb amount of mental capacity but without adequate social interaction skills it can be under mined and underappreciated. Therefore I find social interaction a very important factor in not only aiding cognitive development but also in progressing as a valued member of society.