Development may also occur in guided participation, in which adults guide and the children participate. But in western cultures, context independent learning also takes place. In this case, a child himself/herself makes an effort to learn new things. However, this again boils down to ‘western culture’ and hence everything is related to culture.

Thus in Vygotsky’s opinion, society and culture are major forces which shape a child’s development. Both Bronfenbrenner and Vygotsky may talk differently, but both stress on the importance of the context in which the child grows, and this contexts affects the child’s development. Thus, their theories are called contextual theories.

Nevertheless, you shouldn’t be worrying about theories when it comes to raising your child. It is always important to know the mechanisms and when in doubt, you could always approach the psychologist. All you would need to keep in mind is that you should never allow your child to be influenced by wrong people nor should you allow your child to come under influence of wrong situations.

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