Vygotsky illustrated the zone of proximal development by drawing a circle to denote the information that a child has mastered and can do without help. For example, a first grader might know how to sound out many words. The zone of proximal development is the area next to the core and includes things a child can do with help. A child who knows how to sound out some words might be able to read more words with the assistance of a parent or teacher. Items outside the zone are things a child can't do, even with help. This might include reading a long and complicated novel or writing a detailed paragraph.