Sociocultural theories based on the work of Vygotsky have been increasingly influential in educational sciences. Developmental education (DE) is a pedagogical approach based on Vygotskian theory that has inspired primary schools in the Netherlands to change the learning environment innovatively in a comprehensive way. In this article, we focus on…

After a critique of the standard literacy practice in primary school, the article develops a Vygotskian view on literacy that defines literate activity as a generalised ability of using sign systems for personal and interpersonal use within specific cultural practices. Narrative competence is seen as one specific form of this literate activity.…

Since 1981, five Kursushuis ("course house") programs for delinquent youth have been established in the Netherlands. Although similar in many ways to Achievement Place (AP) programs, Kursushuis programs differ from AP programs in that they place fewer children in a course house and use a social competence model that allows task-specific…

This theme issue of the Bernard van Leer Foundation's "Newsletter" is devoted to approaches to working with disadvantaged children up to 3 years of age. An introduction describes the crucial period from before birth to 3 years, noting that although the mother's body provides the an essential part of the environment, other easily…

Discussions about the beginnings of mathematics education in early childhood are often caught up in a dilemma: should we stimulate spontaneous actions or provide direct instruction about elementary number-related actions? In this article we argue that either approach is problematic and neither is an optimal way of promoting the development of…