...distance between the actual developmental level as determined by independent problem solving and the level of potential development as determined through problem solving under adult guidance or in collaboration with more capable peers (1978).The zone of proximal development defines those functions that have not yet matured but are in the process of maturation.
In knowing that children have an ability beyond which they independently exhibit, it becomes essential that teachers use appropriate assessments to figure out what their children know. Marie Clay's Observation Survey provides teachers with extensive, practical information from which they can use to better plan strategies for a particular child. Unfortunately, many school systems have less informative yet mandatory tests for reading. This means that teachers are forced to do two lengthy assessments during school time. As difficult as it is, I find that not every child needs an exhaustive work-up as in Clay's Observation Survey. For the children experiencing difficulty reading, the assessment is invaluable.
Clay's assessments are invaluable as I am able to learn if students can follow from left to right, have one-to-one correspondence, and can identify the beginning or ends of words. The first time I gave some of Clay's assessments, I found that I had been giving children instruction for which they were not yet ready. Before I used the Observational Survey, I felt as though the children were making extremely slow, if any progress. Once I started using the assessments and specializing their instruction, I was amazed to see how quickly they progressed.