language is a universal cultural tool

 

Elena Bodrova, Deborah J. Leong, Tools of the mind, 1996                    [ ]

p.96

Thus, Eskimos people have many words for snow, Guatemalan Indians who are weavers have many words for textures of yarn, and Asian cultures have many words to define familial relationships and kinships. Language reflects the importance of certain elements of the physical and social environment. 

p.96

   Language allows the acquisition of new information: content, skills, strategies, and processes. While not all learning involve language, complex ideas and processes can only be appropriated with the help of language. The idea of number is only internalized with the help of language. Through language, strategies for solving conflicts are also taught.

p.96

   Since language is a universal cultural tool, delays in its development have severe consequences. 

p.96  

language as social

    Interpreting language as social is a view that is different from that of Piaget (1923/1926), who believed that speech reflects the child's present level of mental processing and is based on the child's schemas and internal representations. 

   (Bodrova, Elena, Tools of the mind : the Vygotskian approach to early childhood education / Elena Bodrova, Deborah J. Leong. -- 1st ed., 1. early childhood education--philosophy., 2. child development.,  3. constructivism (education)., 4. learning, psychology of., 5. play., 6. early childhood education--activity programs., 7. vygotskii, L. S. (Lev Semenovich), 1896-1934., 1996, )

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