Piaget believed that children learn on their own through interacting with objects, progressing through stages of cognitive development. Vygotsky emphasized the social environment and role of language, introducing the zone of proximal development which refers to a child's potential to learn with adult assistance. Bruner expanded on Vygotsky, agreeing that language is key to growth and that scaffolding from teachers and parents guides learning. While Piaget saw children learning individually, Vygotsky and Bruner highlighted the importance of social and cultural influences on a child's development.