“How Children Succeed” written by Paul Tough looks at how both low income and higher income kids can be successful with grit, curiosity and the hidden power of character.
My two year old grandson Henry came to mind often as I read this book. Henry is full of joy at his second birthday party, doing a really funny little dance…probably the sugar in his dump truck cake. Later, he states “MINE” when opening his presents. My daughter explains that the kids are told to express MINE in daycare with the idea that they will let it go. Henry also says, “I want it” and “I can do it”. I think Henry is developing character at a very young age. He is expressing his wishes and self regulating his behavior at a very young age. He also knows his colors and can explain to me “this is a magnet”. I am very impressed with both the academic skills and the self regulating skills. How many kids have the opportunity to succeed with teachers and parents that move them along in their development?
I just ordered a book called “Tools of the Mind” which offers strategies for self regulating skills in young children. Tools’ instructional philosophy is inspired by the work of Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky and his students, and at the same time, is rooted in cutting edge neuropsychological research on the development of self-regulation/executive functions in children.
I remember learning about Vgotsky during my Master’s program, especially the “zone of proximal development”.
Since Vygotsky’s original conception, the definition for the zone of proximal development has been expanded and modified. The zone of proximal development is an area of learning that occurs when a person is assisted by a teacher or peer with a skill set higher than that of the subject.[1] The person learning the skill set cannot complete it without the assistance of the teacher or peer. The teacher then helps the student attain the skill the student is trying to master, in hopes that the teacher will no longer be needed for that task.[