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Question: Critically evaluate the sociocultural theory by Lev Vygostky of how it is applicable to the following case study: Alicia is a 6-year-old girl in Grade 1 in a public Primary School near Pinetown. Her parents are originally from Mozambique, her mother fled from Mozambique due to the physical abuse from Alicia’s father and came to South Africa last year in search of a better life for her children. Alicia lives in an informal settlement with her mother and 2 younger brothers. Her mother hand weaves mats and sells them by the roadside, Alicia helps her after school and during weekends. She has not found work yet and use the little money she gets from selling mats to support her children. Alicia speaks Swahili and Portuguese at home and does not understand any of the South African languages. The school that Alicia attends uses IsiZulu as a language of instruction and she does not understand the teacher due to the language barrier. Alicia’s birth card indicate that she was born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) a condition that results from alcohol exposure during the mother’s pregnancy. Her teacher tries her best to accommodate her by relying on demonstrations when instructing her to do tasks, it is however, still difficult for Alicia to comprehend and her teacher suspects that Alicia’s academic challenges are not only a result of the language barrier. She seems to lack concentration in class and appears to be in a world of her own. She also struggles to interact and engage with other learners in her class. Her teacher has noted that she is usually tired in the mornings and lacks energy, her energy levels seem to improve after break when she has eaten a meal provided by the school. Her teacher called her mother for a meeting to address Alicia’s academic challenges, her mother came to school intoxicated and communication between her and Alicia’s teacher was difficult. She did demonstrate that the teacher must hit Alicia if she gives her any trouble. Despite Alicia’s academic challenges her teacher has noted that she is very artistic and enjoys drawing, singing, and dancing. Use APA7 referencing style and use 2 references
Vygotsky's sociocultural theory postulates that learning and cognitive development are significantly influenced by social interactions and cultural setting (Wertsch & Sohmer, 1995). In Alicia's case, this theory appears to apply in numerous ways. Firstly, Alicia is facing the difficulty of the language barrier. Vygotsky's theory emphasizes the vital role of language, as it's a primary tool of communication and social interaction (John-Steiner & Mahn, 1996). His theory posits that children learn through social interactions, and their cognitive development progresses faster with social and linguistic support. Given Alicia's struggle to comprehend IsiZulu, a language contrast to her native tongues of Swahili and Portuguese, her ability to socially interact, and consequently learn, is challenging. Secondly, Vygotsky's zone of proximal development (ZPD), a concept which refers to the differentiation between what a learner can do independently and with guidance (Wertsch & Sohmer, 1995), plays a significant role. The manifestation of Alicia's Fetal Alcohol Syndrome may impede her cognitive development within her ZPD, impeding her academic progress even with guidance. Additionally, Vygotsky emphasized the influence of cultural background on cognition. Alicia, born from immigrant parents, lives amidst an environment markedly different from her country of origin. This difference may contribute to the difficulty she has in adjusting and interacting with other learners in her class, as her behaviours and means of communication are framed by an entirely different cultural context. Noteworthy also is Alicia's seemingly inclination towards kinesthetic and artistic activities. According to Vygotsky, play, which includes drawing, singing, and dancing, bridges the gap between children's current cognitive capabilities and their potential cognitive development (John-Steiner & Mahn, 1996). By employing Alicia's fascination with artistic activities, learning could be made more approachable and engaging for her. However, it should be noted that Vygotsky's theory may not definitively explain all of Alicia's academic challenges. Factors outside Vygotsky's scope, such as biological influences from her FAS condition, socio-economic barriers, and potential issues at home, may also contribute to her current academic situation. References: - John-Steiner, V., & Mahn, H. (1996). Sociocultural Approaches to Learning and Development: A Vygotskian Framework. Educational Psychologist, 31(3-4), 191–206. - Wertsch, J. V., & Sohmer, R. (1995). Vygotsky on Learning and Development. Human Development,38(6), 332-337.
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