ResearchObservational studyEvidence: Small studyAges 3–6
The role of tutoring in problem solving
Author or publisher Wood, Bruner & Ross, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry Published 1976 Reviewed by eduStack editors Last checked 13 Nov 2026
1What the study found
Studying how an adult tutored 3- to 5-year-olds through a block-building task, the authors described "scaffolding" - the adult takes care of what the child cannot yet manage, so the child can complete the task.
2Sources and check record
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.1976.tb00381.x Wood, Bruner & Ross, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. The role of tutoring in problem solving. 1976. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.1976.tb00381.x Last checked · 13 Nov 2026