Black Delfin, A. & Wang, W. (2022). The Elkonin/Davydov approach: How cognitive development can be driven by cultural tools. Social Education Research, 3(2), 354-370. DOI:10.37256/ser.3220221738. Abstract This conceptual paper examines the aspects of human development that are foundational to higher mental functions and how particular features of cognition essential for relational and other types of complex thought are activated and developmentally driven through experiential exposure, specifically with others, to intentionally designed cultural tools of teaching and learning. After taking a closer look at relational thinking, which is a foundation for more complex types of thought such as computational thinking, and a developmentally appropriate pedagogical method for fostering these aspects of cognitive development, we focus on the Elkonin-Davydov early "prenumerical" phase, presenting this curricular approach as a cultural tool which can foster cognitive development....
