This book renews the concept of the symbolic function, exploring human capacity to create and utilize symbols, semiotic systems, and realities. It offers a unique theoretical perspective on the early psychological growth of children, focusing on the symbolic function's role in their development . In this sense, it offer new conception of the emergence of symbolic function and language. It further presents detailed analyses of semiotic function manifestations and their integration around age three, signifying a child's entry into the "symbolic species" and its profound influence on overall mental development. This book deals with issues related to the symbolic function in general, as well as its origin and development. It further presents detailed analyses of semiotic function manifestations and their integration around age three, signifying a child's entry into the symbolic species and its profound influence on overall mental development. This text serves as a valuable academic resource for university teachers, researchers and students interested in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay between cognitive, socio-emotional development, and social practices in the emergence of symbolic function in early childhood.

Auteur

Ivan D. Ivic is a Professor of Developmental and Educational Psychology at the University of Belgrade. In his work, he has meaningfully integrated two major theoretical approaches to human development: Piagetian constructivism and Vygotskian socio-constructivism. His contribution to the development of symbolic function, which represents a key milestone in the early child development process, is still innovative and inspiring. It offers an original conception that explains how the symbolic function emerges from a specific interplay of cognitive, emotional, social, and pragmatic aspects.