How did Vygotsky believe language advanced thinking in children?

Vygotsky believed that language plays a crucial role in advancing children's thinking by serving as a tool for communication and self-regulation. Through social interactions and dialogue with more knowledgeable others, children internalize language and use it for inner speech, which eventually guides their cognitive processes and problem-solving abilities. This process, known as the zone of proximal development, allows children to reach higher levels of understanding with the support of more skilled individuals.