Zone of Proximal Development

The Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) describes the area between a child’s level of independent performance (what they can do alone) and the child’s level of assisted performance (what they can do with support).

Skills and understandings contained within a child’s ZPD are the ones that have not yet emerged but could emerge if the child engaged in interactions with knowledgeable others (peers or adults) or in supportive contexts (such as make-believe play for young children).

As home educators, this theory is useful to you, as it helps you to focus your support where it will be most effective. If you are introducing new skills or understanding, your support needs to be aimed within the ZPD. Support by other, more knowledgeable children or adults also produces gains in the development of your child, as well as improving his or her knowledge and skills.

This theory is also useful because it shows you that small steps are most effective. If you support beyond your child’s ZPD then your support will have no effect on his or her learning.

This diagram helps to explain the concept.

This does mean you need to know not only what your child’s developmental level is at the time, but also what skills and concepts will develop next. You, as a parent or carer are well placed to know what stage your child is at and, with our Ladder, the next steps can easily be found. .

The idea behind this style of support is that eventually your child will be able to function independently at the same high level at which they were previously able to function with knowledgeable assistance.

Once your child is successfully operating independently at the higher level, you can move your support into the area of his or her new Zone of Proximal Development.