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... the advancement in understanding of the framework within this most important time of a child's development. According to Vygotsky, constructive play encourages cognitive and socioemotional development. (Bodrova et al, 1996) Vygotsky argued play promotes development in three distinctive characteristics. Firstly, play creates a ZPD and promotes internalisation. Secondly, play encourages the development of symbolic function and abstract thought. Finally, the development of self-regulation is facilitated by play. (Bodrova et al, 1996) Vygotsky felt that a child's potential level of development can be measured by determining the difference between the unaided achieved level of the child and the assisted level of accomplishment through guided support or 'scaffolding'. Vygotsky named this hypothesis the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). The ZPD is defined as "...the distance between the actual development levels as determined by independent problem solving and the level of potential development as determined through problem solving under adult guidance or in collaboration ...