Scientific foundation of expertise

Our expertise is based on Cultural-Historical approach in Psychology, which was founded in early 1930-s by L.S. Vygotsky.
The concept of toy as a sighn and psychological tool has essential meaning for our toy and play research and toys assesment.

According to L. Vygotsky, the specificity of human behavior is that it involves sign mediation.

The main function of a sign is to project behavior onto it thereby transforming it into an imaginary object.

The development of speech mediation and mastering the world of culture is central to the child’s mental development. 

Signs are special things with double nature– material and ideal. 
Signs are material things with an external form of their own (visual, audio etc)
Signs have a meaning that conveys an ideal representation (image) of  an object, process or phenomenon.  Signs  substitute for reality and make it possible to translate this reality into an ideal form.
Signs as cultural phenomena are not merely substitutes for reality but also mediators or tools of human internal psychological activity.
By analogy with work tools signs are psychological tools which people use for building their own inner world and to organise their behaviour.

Toys as cultural signs and the main attributes of child play are the most important psychological tools for toddlers and preschoolers.

The appearance of speech and ability to act with toys in a situation «as if» promotes  children`s play development.
 

►To learn more about our scientific approach, read our Publications