During a task, Saina is talking to herself about ways she can proceed on the task. According to Lev Vygotsky's ideas on language and thought; this kind of 'private speech' is a sign of

Vygotsky viewed private speech (talking to oneself) as a critical tool for self-regulation and cognitive development. Unlike Piaget who saw it as egocentric and immature, Vygotsky argued that private speech helps children plan, monitor, and guide their own behavior and thinking. It represents the transition from external social speech to internal verbal thought. Saina's self-talk while problem-solving demonstrates her use of language as a cognitive tool for self-direction—a hallmark of self-regulation.