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Zone of Proximal Development
The range of tasks that a child cannot currently perform unassisted but can perform with some guidance from more competent individuals. The zone of proximal development is the “zone” in which effective learning can occur. The zone is dynamic and changes as learning occurs, and it varies according to person and task. It is the area that teachers and aids should focus on to promote learning and development. The concept originated in the early 20th century with the Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky.