Scaffolding

Scaffolding is a term used to describe a specific way of assisting and instructing an individual to help them achieve and advance during a task or activity. Much as a scaffold supports workers constructing a building, scaffolding assists children’s and adults’ learning. The central tenet is that before children are able to perform difficult tasks independently, they need the help of more competent adults or peers. The help is just enough for the children to complete the task. During learning, it is optimal to keep children within their zone of proximal development (ZPD). The ZPD is a hypothetical area that exists between what children can do independently and what they can accomplish with the help of a more experienced peer or adult. Scaffolding can be ...