Lev Vygotsky was a Russian developmentalist who believed that adults in all societies “promote children's cognitive development in an intentional and somewhat systematic manner” (Ormrod, 2011, p.39). Vygotsky's sociocultural theory focused on what a child could do simply with the help of an adult. Nature is at the center of this theory highlighting children's cultural and social environmental experiences that influence cognitive growth. Two main terms that are of utmost importance in this principle are the child's zone of proximal development (ZPD) and scaffolding (Ormrod, 2011, p. 39). The zone of proximal development will first be defined and explained to better understand what is involved in this popular method of teaching and child development. First, the zone of proximal development can be established as a child's learning and problem-solving skills that are currently in the process of evolution. The ZPD is a key source to use when choosing a task for a child to complete. It is important to determine whether the task is too easy or too difficult. The ZPD can assist in the decision an adult or instructor makes when selecting tasks for children to complete to help them reach their full cognitive potential. Identifying a child's ZPD should be done to give the educator an idea of ​​what is appropriate or which student to work on or with (Ormrod, 2011, p. 41). To establish the ZPD, an instructor must examine the child's actual development. level by testing them or being informed of what a student can already achieve without the help of an adult. ZPDs can then be recognized as tasks that a child cannot undertake without the full help and support of an adult (Ormrod, 2011, p....... middle of article... ...written about how to test and push Today's children can fully exploit their potential Children's learning, thinking and individual teaching methods have been seen from a different perspective. They are now expected to function at higher levels than in the past, thus reaching their highest level of cognitive development Works Cited Lewis, B. (2013, November 7, Broadway, New York, USA, National Governors Association Center for Best Practices & Council of Public Schools (2010). Washington DCOrmrod, JE (2011). Jersey, United States.