Vygotsky’s concept of overimitation

 

A. As Shawn and his father, Carlos, put together a puzzle for the first time, Carlos begins by showing Shawn how to locate the outside pieces of the puzzle first. Once Shawn starts to get the idea, Carlos gradually withdraws his support, allowing Shawn to take more responsibility.

 

B. Miriam helps her son Ben to make cookies. She measures all of the ingredients out and places them on the counter in small bowls. She reads the recipe aloud as Ben places the ingredients in the bowl and mixes them together with a spoon.

 

C. Brittany helps her 2-year-old daughter make hot chocolate. Brittany assists her daughter as they measure teaspoons of cocoa into a cup, add water, stir the contents, and then microwave the cup.

 

D. Balor, 2½, watches his father read the paper every morning at breakfast. Yesterday, Balor's mom observed him climbing into a chair and rapidly scrunching page of the newspaper as he tried to turn page. When he saw his mother looking, Balor exclaimed, "Like daddy!"