This document discusses the historical evolution of conceptions of childhood and the role of the state and educational institutions in shaping childhood. It argues that in modern times, the state began exerting control over children's upbringing and education as a means of socializing children and forging a national identity. Schools became sites for disciplining children's bodies and minds according to dominant discourses of childhood. While 20th century theories emphasized a more child-centered approach, this new discourse also established new norms that shape educational practice and institutions today.
Vygotsky\'s Theory of Cognitive DevelopmentDumitru Stoica
Lev Vygotsky believed that cognitive development is primarily shaped by social and cultural factors. He rejected the idea of fixed developmental stages and instead focused on the mechanisms that drive development. Vygotsky argued that higher mental functions originate through social interactions and language use before becoming internalized. A key concept is the Zone of Proximal Development, which represents the gap between what a child can do independently and what they can do with guidance. Within the ZPD, instruction can promote cognitive growth.
Lev Vygotsky was a Russian psychologist who developed the sociocultural theory of cognitive development, which emphasizes how social interaction and culture impact cognitive development. He believed that community plays a central role in the process of "making meaning." A key concept is the Zone of Proximal Development, which is a child's potential development when aided by a more knowledgeable other such as a teacher or peer. Vygotsky argued that optimal learning occurs in the Zone of Proximal Development through guided collaboration with others.
Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory of DevelopmentGerard Tolero
Vygotsky's sociocultural theory of development states that cognitive development is a product of social interactions and culture. It claims that social learning precedes development and that language plays a key role in cognitive development. The theory emphasizes the role of culture and social interaction, highlighting the role of mentors and the zone of proximal development, which is the difference between what a child can do independently and with guidance.
This document discusses inclusive education, which aims to educate all students, regardless of ability, in regular classrooms with appropriate support. The key benefits are enabling full participation, promoting belonging, and meeting individual needs. An inclusive system provides higher quality education by fostering understanding and respect through diverse interactions. While requiring initial investment, inclusive education is not more expensive long-term. Success depends on collaboration, training, support services, and accommodating individual student needs.
The document discusses the learning environment and its key components. It states that the learning environment refers to the whole range of components and activities where learning takes place. It includes the physical classroom space as well as instructional features, tools, resources, and interactions that facilitate learning. An ideal learning environment is constructivist in nature, engages learners through hands-on activities, and provides scaffolds and support to help students problem solve.
Vygotsky\'s Theory of Cognitive DevelopmentDumitru Stoica
Lev Vygotsky believed that cognitive development is primarily shaped by social and cultural factors. He rejected the idea of fixed developmental stages and instead focused on the mechanisms that drive development. Vygotsky argued that higher mental functions originate through social interactions and language use before becoming internalized. A key concept is the Zone of Proximal Development, which represents the gap between what a child can do independently and what they can do with guidance. Within the ZPD, instruction can promote cognitive growth.
Lev Vygotsky was a Russian psychologist who developed the sociocultural theory of cognitive development, which emphasizes how social interaction and culture impact cognitive development. He believed that community plays a central role in the process of "making meaning." A key concept is the Zone of Proximal Development, which is a child's potential development when aided by a more knowledgeable other such as a teacher or peer. Vygotsky argued that optimal learning occurs in the Zone of Proximal Development through guided collaboration with others.
Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory of DevelopmentGerard Tolero
Vygotsky's sociocultural theory of development states that cognitive development is a product of social interactions and culture. It claims that social learning precedes development and that language plays a key role in cognitive development. The theory emphasizes the role of culture and social interaction, highlighting the role of mentors and the zone of proximal development, which is the difference between what a child can do independently and with guidance.
This document discusses inclusive education, which aims to educate all students, regardless of ability, in regular classrooms with appropriate support. The key benefits are enabling full participation, promoting belonging, and meeting individual needs. An inclusive system provides higher quality education by fostering understanding and respect through diverse interactions. While requiring initial investment, inclusive education is not more expensive long-term. Success depends on collaboration, training, support services, and accommodating individual student needs.
The document discusses the learning environment and its key components. It states that the learning environment refers to the whole range of components and activities where learning takes place. It includes the physical classroom space as well as instructional features, tools, resources, and interactions that facilitate learning. An ideal learning environment is constructivist in nature, engages learners through hands-on activities, and provides scaffolds and support to help students problem solve.
The document discusses the career of an early childhood educator. It describes some of the daily activities like playing outdoors with children, doing crafts indoors, and teaching basic lessons. It also covers the qualifications needed which include an undergraduate degree in early childhood education or child development. Additionally, it provides statistics on the median pay, expected job growth, and notes that while the salary may not be high, working with children is rewarding.
Gagne’s Hierarchy of Learning – Eight types of learningSuresh Babu
Robert Gagne developed a hierarchy of learning that arranges eight types of learning from simple to complex. The eight types are: signal learning, stimulus-response learning, chain learning, verbal association, discrimination learning, concept learning, principle learning, and problem solving. Gagne believed that learning new capabilities requires prior mastery of subordinate skills, and his hierarchy describes the order in which these skills are typically acquired. Gagne's theory emphasizes analyzing learning objectives and designing instruction appropriate for each level of learning.
Collaborative and cooperative learningMaryan Lopez
Collaborative learning involves students working together to achieve learning goals or complete projects. It is a natural social process where students share ideas and solve problems together. Collaborative learning allows for freedom, creativity, and diverse outcomes. It is based on principles like making students the focus, emphasizing interaction and practical application, working in groups, and addressing real-world problems. Benefits include improved higher-order thinking and preparation for social and work situations. Cooperative learning is a more structured approach where students work in teams under more direction from the teacher.
Early Childhood Education SlideShare- Final DraftBreanna Bennett
Early childhood education consists of activities and experiences that aim to promote child development before elementary school. It is important because teachers can tailor activities to further sensitive periods of development. Degrees in early childhood education range from CDA certificates to doctorates and allow graduates to work in settings like preschools, daycares, and public schools. Short and long term career goals may include obtaining different degrees and eventually opening a private preschool.
Parents and caregivers role towards childSulochanaShah
Parents are the child's first role model. Children behave, react and imitate same as their parents. Parents play important role in encouraging and motivating their kids to learn. Good parental support helps child to be positive, healthy and good life long learner.The proper role of the parent is to provide encouragement, support, and access to activities that enable the child to master key developmental tasks. A parent is their child's first teacher and should remain their best teacher throughout life. Parental involvement not only enhances academic performance, but it also has a positive influence on student attitude and behavior. A parent's interest and encouragement in a child's education can affect the child's attitude toward school, classroom conduct, self-esteem, absenteeism, and motivation.
So, the role of parents and caregivers are very important for every child. Some of the renowned theorist have also have given their views and ideas through research.
Let's implement their ideas in our daily life.
This document outlines 10 principles of human development:
1. Development is continuous from conception through maturity.
2. Development progresses gradually and cumulatively, not suddenly.
3. Development follows a sequential pattern unique to each species.
4. Individual rates of development vary due to heredity and environment.
5. Development proceeds from general to specific abilities over time.
6. Traits are often correlated - strong development in one area relates to others.
7. Both heredity and environment influence growth and maturation.
8. Development follows predictable patterns observable through tests.
9. Development brings structural and functional changes over time.
10. All developmental factors constantly interact with each other.
The document discusses various teaching approaches and methods. It begins by defining teacher-centered and student-centered approaches, noting that student-centered focuses more on student engagement and interaction. It then provides examples of different teaching strategies like lectures, active learning, critical thinking, and cooperative learning. Finally, it elaborates on specific teaching methods such as explaining, demonstrating, collaborating, brainstorming, direct teaching, lectures, role-playing, and games.
The early childhood education program at Ivy Tech Community College focuses on child development from infancy to age 8 and preparing students for careers working with young children. The program offers certificates and associate degrees that can help students work in fields like early childhood education, childcare, and elementary education. Coursework includes child development topics, teaching methods, and hands-on experience in practicums at childcare centers and schools. Financial assistance may be available for those working in early education.
This document provides an overview of Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development. It describes Piaget's four stages of development: sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational. Key concepts discussed include assimilation, accommodation, schemas, and how children's thinking abilities change as they progress through each stage. The document also notes both strengths and weaknesses of Piaget's influential but not definitive theory of child development.
This was for EDUC 203 (Facilitating Learning).
This was the topic after Constructivism.
Includes Types of Transfer, Reasons Why Transfer Doesn't Work and Conditions and Principles for Transfer.
Child Development and Pedagogy, from this subject i am covering some details of Child Development, Stages of Child Development, Principles and Domains of Child Development.
The document describes the inquiry method of education. It discusses that the inquiry method is student-centered and focuses on asking questions to drive learning. It outlines three phases of inquiry-based learning: interaction, clarification, and questioning. For each phase, it provides details on the activities and tone. It also discusses the merits, including that it allows students to learn independently and creatively. The demerits are that it is time-consuming, requires a creative teacher, and not all students may benefit equally.
Psychological foundations of curriculumUmair Ashraf
The document discusses several psychological perspectives that influence curriculum development, including behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism, and humanism. It provides overview of major theorists like Pavlov, Thorndike, Piaget, and Rogers, and explains their core concepts such as stimulus-response theory, information processing, knowledge construction, and the importance of emotions and learner-centered approach. A curriculum developer should have knowledge of learning psychology to understand how students learn and design effective instruction based on cognitive and affective factors.
Jerome Bruner was an American psychologist who contributed significantly to cognitive psychology and educational psychology. He was one of the founders of constructivist learning theory. Bruner believed that classroom learning should proceed from the specific to the general, and that concepts are made up of attributes. He argued against Piaget's theory of cognitive development stages, saying that complex ideas can be taught simply at first and made more complex later through a spiral curriculum.
The document discusses several project methods for teaching including constructive, aesthetic, problem-solving, and drill projects. It notes advantages like developing student independence and real work experience, but also disadvantages like being time consuming. Brainstorming is described as a group activity that encourages creative ideas, while dramatization allows acting out topics and developing creative instincts, though it can be time consuming and difficult to enact.
The document discusses social and emotional development according to Erikson's psychosocial stages of development. It describes each stage from infancy through late adulthood, the key task or strength developed at each stage, and examples. The stages include trust vs. mistrust in infancy, autonomy vs. shame in toddlerhood, initiative vs. guilt in early childhood, industry vs. inferiority in middle childhood, identity vs. role confusion in adolescence, intimacy vs. isolation in young adulthood, generativity vs. stagnation in middle adulthood, and ego integrity vs. despair in late adulthood. It emphasizes that successful resolution of earlier crises influences success in later stages.
The document outlines the key components of an early childhood schedule, including activity time, large group time, small group activities, outdoor time, cleanup, meals, and nap/rest time. It provides recommended time allotments for each. It also discusses guidelines for an effective schedule such as alternating active and quiet times, balancing child-initiated and teacher-initiated activities, considering the developmental level and group size of children, and being flexible.
This document provides an overview of key concepts in early childhood development and education, including:
1) Discussions of various child development theories including socio-cultural, behavioral, cognitive, and constructivist perspectives. Formative assessment and the importance of observation are also covered.
2) An introduction to session topics which will explore the EYFS framework, assessment, inclusion, management and leadership.
3) Guidance on effective observation practices, including focusing on what children can do, using objective language, and maintaining anonymity. The importance of context, analysis, and next steps is also emphasized.
Creating a positive learning environmentPippa Totraku
This document discusses creating a positive learning environment in early years settings. It addresses several key points:
1) The environment plays a key role in supporting children's development and learning. It should meet individual needs, foster independent learning through play, and provide indoor and outdoor learning opportunities.
2) High-quality environments have caring relationships between adults and children, support emotional well-being through predictable routines and consistently applied rules, and have high expectations for children.
3) Research studies like EPPE have found that high-quality pre-school experiences provide long-term benefits, especially for disadvantaged children. Key elements of quality include educational goals, responsive adult-child interactions, and a safe, stimulating physical environment.
1) The magazine covers a range of topics for members of the Covenant Community Methodist Church including praise and worship, parenting, marriage, education, and more.
2) It emphasizes the importance of everyone feeling welcome and valued in the church community as they journey together in discipleship.
3) The magazine aims to be reflective, relevant, and personal to encourage and support readers in their faith.
Cooperative Learning in Special EducationKapil Rathi
Cooperative learning involves students working in small groups to accomplish shared learning goals. There are various types including formal, informal, and group-based learning. Effective cooperative learning incorporates positive interdependence, individual accountability, face-to-face interaction, interpersonal skills, and group processing. Common techniques are Jigsaw, Think-Pair-Share, Three-Step Interview, and Numbered Heads. Cooperative learning benefits students by ensuring attention and adding meaning, and results in higher academic achievement compared to traditional learning techniques.
The document discusses the career of an early childhood educator. It describes some of the daily activities like playing outdoors with children, doing crafts indoors, and teaching basic lessons. It also covers the qualifications needed which include an undergraduate degree in early childhood education or child development. Additionally, it provides statistics on the median pay, expected job growth, and notes that while the salary may not be high, working with children is rewarding.
Gagne’s Hierarchy of Learning – Eight types of learningSuresh Babu
Robert Gagne developed a hierarchy of learning that arranges eight types of learning from simple to complex. The eight types are: signal learning, stimulus-response learning, chain learning, verbal association, discrimination learning, concept learning, principle learning, and problem solving. Gagne believed that learning new capabilities requires prior mastery of subordinate skills, and his hierarchy describes the order in which these skills are typically acquired. Gagne's theory emphasizes analyzing learning objectives and designing instruction appropriate for each level of learning.
Collaborative and cooperative learningMaryan Lopez
Collaborative learning involves students working together to achieve learning goals or complete projects. It is a natural social process where students share ideas and solve problems together. Collaborative learning allows for freedom, creativity, and diverse outcomes. It is based on principles like making students the focus, emphasizing interaction and practical application, working in groups, and addressing real-world problems. Benefits include improved higher-order thinking and preparation for social and work situations. Cooperative learning is a more structured approach where students work in teams under more direction from the teacher.
Early Childhood Education SlideShare- Final DraftBreanna Bennett
Early childhood education consists of activities and experiences that aim to promote child development before elementary school. It is important because teachers can tailor activities to further sensitive periods of development. Degrees in early childhood education range from CDA certificates to doctorates and allow graduates to work in settings like preschools, daycares, and public schools. Short and long term career goals may include obtaining different degrees and eventually opening a private preschool.
Parents and caregivers role towards childSulochanaShah
Parents are the child's first role model. Children behave, react and imitate same as their parents. Parents play important role in encouraging and motivating their kids to learn. Good parental support helps child to be positive, healthy and good life long learner.The proper role of the parent is to provide encouragement, support, and access to activities that enable the child to master key developmental tasks. A parent is their child's first teacher and should remain their best teacher throughout life. Parental involvement not only enhances academic performance, but it also has a positive influence on student attitude and behavior. A parent's interest and encouragement in a child's education can affect the child's attitude toward school, classroom conduct, self-esteem, absenteeism, and motivation.
So, the role of parents and caregivers are very important for every child. Some of the renowned theorist have also have given their views and ideas through research.
Let's implement their ideas in our daily life.
This document outlines 10 principles of human development:
1. Development is continuous from conception through maturity.
2. Development progresses gradually and cumulatively, not suddenly.
3. Development follows a sequential pattern unique to each species.
4. Individual rates of development vary due to heredity and environment.
5. Development proceeds from general to specific abilities over time.
6. Traits are often correlated - strong development in one area relates to others.
7. Both heredity and environment influence growth and maturation.
8. Development follows predictable patterns observable through tests.
9. Development brings structural and functional changes over time.
10. All developmental factors constantly interact with each other.
The document discusses various teaching approaches and methods. It begins by defining teacher-centered and student-centered approaches, noting that student-centered focuses more on student engagement and interaction. It then provides examples of different teaching strategies like lectures, active learning, critical thinking, and cooperative learning. Finally, it elaborates on specific teaching methods such as explaining, demonstrating, collaborating, brainstorming, direct teaching, lectures, role-playing, and games.
The early childhood education program at Ivy Tech Community College focuses on child development from infancy to age 8 and preparing students for careers working with young children. The program offers certificates and associate degrees that can help students work in fields like early childhood education, childcare, and elementary education. Coursework includes child development topics, teaching methods, and hands-on experience in practicums at childcare centers and schools. Financial assistance may be available for those working in early education.
This document provides an overview of Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development. It describes Piaget's four stages of development: sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational. Key concepts discussed include assimilation, accommodation, schemas, and how children's thinking abilities change as they progress through each stage. The document also notes both strengths and weaknesses of Piaget's influential but not definitive theory of child development.
This was for EDUC 203 (Facilitating Learning).
This was the topic after Constructivism.
Includes Types of Transfer, Reasons Why Transfer Doesn't Work and Conditions and Principles for Transfer.
Child Development and Pedagogy, from this subject i am covering some details of Child Development, Stages of Child Development, Principles and Domains of Child Development.
The document describes the inquiry method of education. It discusses that the inquiry method is student-centered and focuses on asking questions to drive learning. It outlines three phases of inquiry-based learning: interaction, clarification, and questioning. For each phase, it provides details on the activities and tone. It also discusses the merits, including that it allows students to learn independently and creatively. The demerits are that it is time-consuming, requires a creative teacher, and not all students may benefit equally.
Psychological foundations of curriculumUmair Ashraf
The document discusses several psychological perspectives that influence curriculum development, including behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism, and humanism. It provides overview of major theorists like Pavlov, Thorndike, Piaget, and Rogers, and explains their core concepts such as stimulus-response theory, information processing, knowledge construction, and the importance of emotions and learner-centered approach. A curriculum developer should have knowledge of learning psychology to understand how students learn and design effective instruction based on cognitive and affective factors.
Jerome Bruner was an American psychologist who contributed significantly to cognitive psychology and educational psychology. He was one of the founders of constructivist learning theory. Bruner believed that classroom learning should proceed from the specific to the general, and that concepts are made up of attributes. He argued against Piaget's theory of cognitive development stages, saying that complex ideas can be taught simply at first and made more complex later through a spiral curriculum.
The document discusses several project methods for teaching including constructive, aesthetic, problem-solving, and drill projects. It notes advantages like developing student independence and real work experience, but also disadvantages like being time consuming. Brainstorming is described as a group activity that encourages creative ideas, while dramatization allows acting out topics and developing creative instincts, though it can be time consuming and difficult to enact.
The document discusses social and emotional development according to Erikson's psychosocial stages of development. It describes each stage from infancy through late adulthood, the key task or strength developed at each stage, and examples. The stages include trust vs. mistrust in infancy, autonomy vs. shame in toddlerhood, initiative vs. guilt in early childhood, industry vs. inferiority in middle childhood, identity vs. role confusion in adolescence, intimacy vs. isolation in young adulthood, generativity vs. stagnation in middle adulthood, and ego integrity vs. despair in late adulthood. It emphasizes that successful resolution of earlier crises influences success in later stages.
The document outlines the key components of an early childhood schedule, including activity time, large group time, small group activities, outdoor time, cleanup, meals, and nap/rest time. It provides recommended time allotments for each. It also discusses guidelines for an effective schedule such as alternating active and quiet times, balancing child-initiated and teacher-initiated activities, considering the developmental level and group size of children, and being flexible.
This document provides an overview of key concepts in early childhood development and education, including:
1) Discussions of various child development theories including socio-cultural, behavioral, cognitive, and constructivist perspectives. Formative assessment and the importance of observation are also covered.
2) An introduction to session topics which will explore the EYFS framework, assessment, inclusion, management and leadership.
3) Guidance on effective observation practices, including focusing on what children can do, using objective language, and maintaining anonymity. The importance of context, analysis, and next steps is also emphasized.
Creating a positive learning environmentPippa Totraku
This document discusses creating a positive learning environment in early years settings. It addresses several key points:
1) The environment plays a key role in supporting children's development and learning. It should meet individual needs, foster independent learning through play, and provide indoor and outdoor learning opportunities.
2) High-quality environments have caring relationships between adults and children, support emotional well-being through predictable routines and consistently applied rules, and have high expectations for children.
3) Research studies like EPPE have found that high-quality pre-school experiences provide long-term benefits, especially for disadvantaged children. Key elements of quality include educational goals, responsive adult-child interactions, and a safe, stimulating physical environment.
1) The magazine covers a range of topics for members of the Covenant Community Methodist Church including praise and worship, parenting, marriage, education, and more.
2) It emphasizes the importance of everyone feeling welcome and valued in the church community as they journey together in discipleship.
3) The magazine aims to be reflective, relevant, and personal to encourage and support readers in their faith.
Cooperative Learning in Special EducationKapil Rathi
Cooperative learning involves students working in small groups to accomplish shared learning goals. There are various types including formal, informal, and group-based learning. Effective cooperative learning incorporates positive interdependence, individual accountability, face-to-face interaction, interpersonal skills, and group processing. Common techniques are Jigsaw, Think-Pair-Share, Three-Step Interview, and Numbered Heads. Cooperative learning benefits students by ensuring attention and adding meaning, and results in higher academic achievement compared to traditional learning techniques.
The document defines inquiry learning as a recursive process driven by the learner's questions and interests. It describes the classroom environment for inquiry learning as one that allows extended time for exploration, investigation, and discussion. It provides an example of a student's inquiry process into Appalachia, including developing research topics and questions, identifying information sources, and sharing discoveries.
Activity Based Learning & Active Learning MethodologyVinothiniSylvia
The document discusses a new teaching method introduced in Tamilnadu that involves grouping children vertically with 4 students each from grades 1 through 4. This vertical grouping has advantages such as older children helping younger ones, encouraging cooperation over competition, and providing a solution for multi-grade classrooms. The method involves teachers introducing topics and then having children read independently, discuss in groups, create mind maps to depict concepts, and ensure each child can understand and explain the ideas with the teacher acting as a facilitator rather than conveyor of information.
The document discusses the demonstration method of teaching, which involves the teacher showing students a live or recorded model of a skill for the students to emulate. It explains that demonstration is effective because it allows students to both see and hear how to perform a skill step-by-step, and then gives students the opportunity to practice the skill. The summary also notes some pros and cons of the demonstration method.
This presentation discusses cooperative learning, which involves students working in small groups to maximize their own and each other's learning. It defines cooperative learning and traces its origins back to 1867. The presentation outlines the key elements of cooperative learning, including positive interdependence and individual accountability. It also discusses types of cooperative learning groups and the benefits of cooperative learning for students, such as greater academic achievement and improved social and emotional development.
Task-based language learning is a student-centered approach where students complete meaningful tasks using the target language. It focuses on task outcome over language accuracy. Tasks are done in groups and include pre-task planning, task performance, report, analysis, practice. It engages students but may neglect discussion forms. Cooperative learning involves students working together towards a common goal, developing social skills. Benefits include higher achievement and interpersonal skills. Examples include think-pair-share, jigsaws, problem-solving. Factors like learning styles and brain processing should be considered.
The document defines demonstration as a teaching method that involves showing concepts through examples or experiments to help students better understand and conceptualize material. Studies show that classroom demonstrations, especially those related to chemistry, can improve how students connect theories to practice. Demonstrations are most effective when accompanied by verbal explanations. To be successful, demonstrations should establish rapport, avoid assuming prior knowledge, and highlight key points. Proper planning, preparation of materials, rehearsal, and evaluation are important for effective demonstrations.
The heuristic method is a discovery-based approach to teaching science where students solve problems independently without direct guidance from teachers. Key aspects of this method include students designing and conducting their own experiments to discover answers, and teachers accepting all student suggestions to problems regardless of perceived relevance. The benefits of this method are that it develops habits of inquiry, self-learning, scientific thinking, diligence, and close teacher-student relationships. However, it also has drawbacks like being time-consuming, requiring small class sizes and highly skilled teachers, and risking an over-emphasis on practical work.
Racism and imperialism in the child development discourse (chapter) (2010)sadafsh
Shallwani, S. (2010). Racism and imperialism in the child development discourse. In G. S. Cannella & L. D. Soto (Eds.), Childhoods: A Handbook, pp. 231-244. New York: Peter Lang.
In this chapter, it is argued that, as part of the modern Enlightenment project, the dominant discourse on ‘child development’ reflects and reproduces racism and imperialism. In the first section, it is asserted that racism, as defined by Foucault (1975-76/2003), is found within the child development discourse, both in the regulation of children’s bodies and the bodies and spaces with which children interact. Racism also serves to divide, classify, and ‘normalize’ notions of childhood. Through the above, the discourse aims to produce useful and docile children who will become useful and docile adults. In the second section, it is argued that the child development discourse privileges and produces characteristics associated with the modern Western imperial subject. This includes imagined notions of progress towards civility, and a fantasy of the White Subject who is scientist, conqueror and explorer, citizen of democracy, and a contributor and consumer in a capitalist market economy. Moreover, the discourse emphasizes a Western imperial sense of ‘Self’ versus ‘Other’, both in the goals of child development, and in the discipline’s representation of itself. These arguments are demonstrated empirically through a textual analysis of the official position statement of the U.S.A. National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC, 1997), found in the guidebook entitled: Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs (Bredekamp & Copple, 1997, p. 3-30). This text is an example of the dominant child development discourse, and is highly influential in the design, development, and evaluation of programs, curricula, and pedagogical practices with young children, both in North America and around the world.
- Philosophy of education is a branch of philosophy that examines the nature, aims, and practical and theoretical aspects of education.
- It considers questions such as what constitutes knowledge and how it can be acquired and applied. Other issues explored include the role of education in society and its impact on social and individual development.
- The document discusses different views on the meaning and purpose of education and how philosophy of education aims to provide guidance and theoretical foundations for addressing complex issues in the field of education.
Educating and training in an ideological vacuum a critical explanation of the...Alexander Decker
This document discusses the relationship between education and ideology in Zimbabwe. It argues that Zimbabwe and other African countries are currently in an ideological vacuum when it comes to education. During the colonial era, education policies were underpinned by capitalist ideologies that aimed to produce servants for the colonial masters. After independence, Zimbabwe aimed to implement socialist ideologies in education, but faced challenges in fully replacing capitalist frameworks. As a result, Zimbabwe's education system has been ambivalent and inconsistent without a clear overarching societal vision or ideological framework to guide policies and outcomes. The lack of a homegrown African ideology has left the continent's education systems in confusion without relevance to local needs.
The document is a 2015 honors thesis proposal by Zachary Kopkin that examines the role of education in development discourse and its impact on children's lives in Uganda. It discusses how development constructs identities that portray people in developing nations as lacking. While education is seen as key to improving lives, it also risks reinforcing oppression by shaping identities according to dominant ideologies. The proposal aims to critically analyze the historical construction of educational strategies and development discourse in Uganda, and explore how education both empowers and limits opportunities for Ugandan children.
The Sociology of the Life Course 2- childhoodbrunogiegerich
This series of presentations are an accompaniment to terrific textbook 'Sociology, 7th edition' by Giddens and Sutton (2013). There is a very strong focus on visuals, with many additional short activities designed to foster interaction between teachers and students.
The text from Giddens and Sutton is usually paraphrased and reworded to aid the comprehension of students, particularity those of lower language ability than Giddens and Sutton had in mind.
The sociology of the age and the life course is the perfect embodiment of contemporary sociology as a whole, and a branch of the discipline with direct relevance to every individual in late-modern capitalist industrial societies.
Sociology is the study of how the structure of any particular society largely dictates how individuals must live; the analysis of the plight of the modern individual in a rapidly changing world. By using this frame of reference, we often reveal social phenomena previously regarded as "natural" and eternal as -in actual fact- "social constructions" that are completely dependent on the socio-historical era for their own existence.
The sociology of the life course looks at how the meanings attached to something as fundamental as a "stage of life" (e.g. childhood) change across time and space; in other words, in different historical eras and -still today- in different places around this complex and diverse planet, the expectations attached to -say- being pre-teen, a teenager, or someone over the age of 50 are products of capitalist, industrial modernity and therefore very, very recent developments in our 800,000 year human history.
This series begins with an introduction to the different aspects of ageing, with an emphasis on the development of social self (looking-glass self), which is something all humans do regardless of time and space; it is part of the psychological process of growing up in all societies.
We then establish what social ageing is; the fundamentals of the sociology of ageing.
Later chapters of the series analyze the different stages of life, in turn, in socio-historical perspective; beginning with what we would today call "childhood" (pre-teen), before looking at "youth", "young adulthood", "mature adulthood" and finally "later life".
Vygostky and the education of infants and toddlers072771
This document provides a conceptual framework for inclusion of typical and atypical children in early childhood education based on Vygotsky's sociocultural theory. The framework is used at a child development center in Puerto Rico that serves infants and toddlers, including some with developmental disabilities. The goal is to foster optimal development in all children through social interactions and by challenging children within their zone of proximal development. Key aspects of the framework include inclusion of special needs children with typical peers, a focus on language development and literacy, and use of play as a developmental tool.
This document discusses challenges facing higher education institutions in relation to global development problems. It touches on key concepts like knowledge, globalization, development and internationalization in the context of higher education. Some important trends highlighted include an increasing dependency on knowledge worldwide and the role of "knowledge hubs". The document also discusses the potential for innovation in developing countries and challenges around knowledge circulation and ensuring knowledge is applied to benefit societies and address global problems.
This document discusses several concepts related to critical theory and pedagogy. It begins by explaining critical theory and some of its major theorists who critique social structures based on class, wealth, and power distributions. It then discusses politics in education and how decision-making power is distributed. Several philosophers who critique power structures in education are mentioned, including Freire, Foucault, and Bourdieu. The document also covers social class theory, social reproduction, social exclusion, and factors that can generate marginalization. Finally, it discusses critical pedagogy and the roles of teachers and students in transforming education for social justice through techniques like praxis, dialogism, and questioning.
This document discusses several concepts related to critical theory and pedagogy. It begins by explaining critical theory and how various 20th century theorists critiqued social structures and inequality. It then discusses the politics of education and how power and decision-making influence education systems. Several philosophers who critique power structures in education are mentioned, including Freire, Foucault, and Bourdieu. The document also covers social class theory, social reproduction, social exclusion, and factors that can generate marginalization. It concludes by discussing critical pedagogy, the roles of teachers and students, and effective pedagogical approaches like praxis, dialogism, and questioning.
CRITICAL THINKING AND REFLECTIVE PRACTICES-Unit 2-Critical Theory and pedagog...Ek ra
This document discusses several concepts related to critical theory and pedagogy. It begins by explaining critical theory and some of its major theorists who critique social structures based on class, wealth, and power distributions. It then discusses politics in education and how decision-making power is distributed. Several philosophers who critique power structures in education are mentioned, including Freire, Foucault, and Bourdieu. The document also covers social class theory, social reproduction, social exclusion, and factors that can generate marginalization. Finally, it discusses critical pedagogy and the roles of teachers and students in transforming education for social justice through techniques like praxis, dialogism, and questioning.
Investigating the ethics of sustainable development in restructuring the worl...Alexander Decker
This document discusses sustainable development and the need to restructure the global economic system. It begins with an introduction that sustainable development requires philosophical and ethical considerations. It then provides background on sustainable development, defining it as development that meets current needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their needs. It argues that achieving meaningful, sustainable development requires restructuring the current global economic system so that individual nations and regions are not pursuing development unilaterally.
A Chimeric Utopia Torn Between Two Lands: Is Autonomy Under Quarantine in The...inventionjournals
Having written four collections of poetry, more than fifteen novels, short stories, and books for children, criticism, screenplays and edited anthologies, Ursula Le Guin is a renowned American science fiction writer. Le Guin’s works are considered to change the notions of what fantasy and science fiction can perform and she is also considered to be a remarkable spinner of fantastic tales through which she can make the readers take note of the words and cultural assumptions. Through the lens of its narrator, Shevek, Le Guin crystallizes the difference between education and indoctrination in The Dispossessed. The aim of this study was to propose a critical analysis of indoctrination in the field of education and to analyze concepts of politics, ideology, culture, freedom, equality and their interrelationship with the concept of education. In the novel, both the Anarresti and the Urrasti’s educational means to educate their people were revealed. The analysis clarified some factors that might be unstable for any utopian community and even threatening for democratic and other values in a given society.
International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention (IJHSSI) is an international journal intended for professionals and researchers in all fields of Humanities and Social Science. IJHSSI publishes research articles and reviews within the whole field Humanities and Social Science, new teaching methods, assessment, validation and the impact of new technologies and it will continue to provide information on the latest trends and developments in this ever-expanding subject. The publications of papers are selected through double peer reviewed to ensure originality, relevance, and readability. The articles published in our journal can be accessed online.
Understanding the concepts of culture, society and politicsMaryjoydailo
This document discusses key concepts related to culture, society, and politics. It covers:
- Aspects of culture including that culture is learned, symbolic, integrated, shared, and all-encompassing.
- Three sociological approaches to studying society: structural-functional, social-conflict, and symbolic-interaction. The structural-functional and social-conflict approaches have a macro-level orientation while symbolic-interaction has a micro-level orientation.
- Definitions of politics including that politics involves the activity of making, preserving, and amending the general rules that people live by, which inevitably leads to conflict and cooperation.
The document discusses several key issues in learning technology theory:
1) Herman and Mandell argue that technology allows anyone to learn anything at any time, but it also makes it difficult to distinguish truth from fiction. This epistemological dilemma necessitates the development of learning technology theory.
2) Noble asserts that the trend of automating higher education is a battle between students/professors and university administrations/companies seeking to commercialize education.
3) While technology permeates education, political agendas reinforce links between education, employment, and individual responsibility for attaining them, undermining benefits of viewing learners as agents of their own development.
1) The document discusses the contested nature of learning technology theory and the epistemological dilemmas that arise from how virtual reality allows anything to be altered or taken as tentative, leaving us uncertain about truth.
2) It also discusses opposing views on the role of technology in education, with some arguing it benefits students and professors against commercial and administrative interests, while others see it as preparing individuals for globalized economic forces beyond our control.
3) A key issue is how technology-assisted learning can support a managerial agenda by increasing the granularity of "education consumables" and transferring power away from individuals, though it may also benefit autonomous learning when incorporated with expert guidance.
Article Review Of Quot Research On Globalization And Education Quot By Joel...Leonard Goudy
This document provides a summary and evaluation of the article "Research on Globalization and Education" by Spring (2008). It discusses four major theoretical perspectives on the globalization of education: world culture, world systems, post-colonial, and culturalist. It analyzes how these perspectives relate to different sociological paradigms such as structural functionalism and conflict theory. It also discusses concepts like global flows and networks, and how education shapes and is shaped by society in the context of globalization. The evaluation provides an in-depth analysis of the topics and issues covered in the original research article and presentation.
The document discusses the key agents of socialization in Australian society, which are the family and school. The family is the primary agent of socialization as parents are the main influences on children from a young age. Schools are also important secondary agents as they help socialize children into broader social norms and behaviors from an early stage. Both agents play a role in teaching children skills, behaviors, attitudes and values that allow them to function within Australian culture.
Giroux argues that media representations of youth reflect adults' concerns rather than youth identity, and do not necessarily reflect reality. Acland argues that media representations of delinquent youth reinforce societal norms by depicting unacceptable "deviant" youth behavior, allowing for increased state control over youth through actions like ASBOs. Hebdige examines subcultures as groups that feel neglected by societal standards and develop their own identity in opposition to mainstream values. The document discusses applying these theoretical lenses to representations of youth in different texts.
1. Valerie Desirotte – June 2013
1 | P a g e
Deconstructing and Reconstructing Early Childhood
Pedagogy: Developing Criticality and Reflexivity
“Childhood is the most intensively governed sector of human existence. In
different ways, at different times, and by many different routes varying from one
section of society to another, the health, welfare, and rearing of children have
been linked in thought and practice to the destiny of the nation and the
responsibilities of the state.” (Rose 1989; 124)
Using Foucault and other theoretical lenses, discuss this statement with reference to
contemporary discourse regarding childhood, the structure of the early childhood institution
and the child’s agency. It is essential that you refer to key national and international Early
Childhood Care and Education policy documents in your discussion.
2. Valerie Desirotte – June 2013
2 | P a g e
Introduction
Childhood is a concept which has been defined and redefined throughout our social
history. Its evolution from the Middle Ages to the present times is a reflection of the cultural,
scientific, economic and political changes that have occurred in Western civilisation and of
the various discourses which have shaped our educational practices (Oswell 2013). The social
conditioning of children by the nation-state, through education, established a national popular
culture resulting in people’s attachment to their nation, or as Bourdieu calls it, ‘habitus’
(Farrell 2010). In this essay, I will also refer to the theories of Michel Foucault, who linked
the institutionalisation of the notion of childhood, and of its education, to the concept of
governmentality, or how the newly emerging modern state controlled its ‘subjects’ in order to
govern them, and encourage them to govern themselves, with a view to produce ‘docile
bodies’ endorsed by normalising discourses and disciplinary technologies (Smith 2012).
Regardless of the time or the discourse, children are seen as the perfect starting point in order
to cure all the ills of society, e.g. poverty, delinquency, and to meet the economic needs of
tomorrow’s world. Ranging from religious or scientific to democratic ideals, children have
been subjected to different pedagogical approaches, all structured and designed by ‘experts’
in their own field, but rarely by children themselves. Gidden’s theory of structure vs. agency
will be discussed in relation to children and how the recognition of their rights to express
their views and opinions and their active participation into society has now become a priority
for international, European and Irish policymakers. However, this new educational approach
might be just a novel way of achieving the objectives of advanced liberal government, that is
to ‘invest in the future’ but ‘with the twist that children are offered an active role in the
development of individual human capital’ (Smith 2012, p. 33). As Foucault said, ‘everything
is dangerous’ because nothing happens outside of power relations; everything we do is the
manifestation of the power we have over somebody else or that somebody else has over us
(Clark et al 2005, p.9).
Definitions of Childhood
Prior to the analysis of the political, psychological, scientific and cultural forces
governing childhood and more specifically early childhood, it is worth starting by looking at
the historical and social definitions of childhood. Oswell (2013) differentiates between a
‘concept’ of childhood and a ‘conception’ of childhood. Referring to Archard (1993), he
states that ‘whereas the former identifies an object or a being which is as yet undefined or
which lacks concrete attributes, the latter refers to the actual definitions or attributes of
childhood’ (p.12). In other words, the conception of what a child is or should be differs from
one society and one century to the next as it is historically and socially constructed. Philippe
Ariès (1962) argues that medieval times did not have a clear conception of childhood and as a
result its separation from ‘adulthood’ did not exist (in Oswell 2013, p.10). The creation of a
new status given to ‘children’ happened over a long period of time through iconographies and
3. Valerie Desirotte – June 2013
3 | P a g e
the ‘accumulation of descriptions’ based on the evolution of society, which finally resulted in
a distinct classification and labelling of the youngest section of the population in the 19th
century (p14). However, these classifications mainly varied based on social class and gender
until Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s educational treaty ‘Emile ou de l’Education’ dating from 1762,
in which Rousseau grants a special ‘nature’ to children ‘where he urges that children be
treated as children’, giving childhood a more universal definition and extends it ‘to the
masses’ (Smith 2012, p.29). At the end of the 19th
C., Emile Durkheim sees the child as not
yet formed, constantly growing and in a state of incompleteness, which requires ‘a wonderful
environment of careful attention, of consideration, of favourable circumstances and protective
influences’ in order to go from weak to strong physically, intellectually and morally (Oswell
2013, p.39). This process of ‘becoming’ is a process of socialisation for Durkheim whereas
for the social psychologist Jean Piaget in the 1960s, it is a cognitive developmental process
structured in stages. The child is now distinct from the adult and seen as the ‘other’,
‘immature’ and for whom decisions must be taken (Cannella 1999, p.37). Furthermore, the
ancient Christian concept of the innocent or evil child which needs to be educated in order to
remain, or to become, innocent, linked to the idea of obedience enforced by discipline,
introduces the concept of ‘malleability’, allowing religious orders, and later the modern state,
to ‘manipulate the future’ through the ‘reconceptualisation’ of childhood as ‘a ‘blank slate’,
upon which the future can be written’ (Smith, 2012, p.28).
Governmentality and the institutionalisation of childhood; from the family to the
‘modern school’
Before the industrial revolution and the creation of the ‘modern’ school, the
socialisation of children, through education, was entrusted to the (extended) family, seen at
the time as the centre of social and economic life, resting on strong moral values laid out by
religion. Michel Foucault, French philosopher of the 20th
century, argues that by the 19th
century ‘the system of noble estates and family alliances of the 18th
century’ is no longer
reliable as a form of political and economic structure and that the family is now ‘located at
the interchange of a system of alliance and a new regime of power and knowledge’ (in
Oswell 2013, p. 95). The power residing in the family structure now moves towards a
centralised system of governance, which subordinates the family to its power, whilst making
it an instrument and object of power and knowledge, serving the new political structure of the
modern State (Oswell 2013, p.98). In his lectures in 1978/79, Foucault introduces the term
‘governmentality’ to analyse the genealogy of the modern state. Resulting from the semantic
link of ‘govern’ and ‘mentality’, governmentality refers to the tactics of government in order
to govern and influence its subjects. However, up until the 18th
century, the art of government
was not just political in nature:
Government was a term discussed not only in political tracts, but also in philosophical,
religious, medical and pedagogic texts. In addition to the management by the state or the
administration, "government" also signified problems of self-control, guidance for the
family and for children, management of the household, directing the soul, etc. For this
4. Valerie Desirotte – June 2013
4 | P a g e
reason, Foucault defines government as conduct, or, more precisely, as "the conduct of
conduct" and thus as a term which ranges from "governing the self" to "governing others"
(Lemke, 2010, p. 50-51)
Indeed, the 19th
century sees the emergence of several measures and techniques as means of
control of the populations whilst providing what Oswell (2013) refers to as ‘supervised
freedom’ (p.98). Foucault believes that the use of statistical knowledge is key in the new
system of governance; generating an overview of the total population in terms of birth or
death rates and of ‘cycles of growth’ relegates the family unit to a subaltern position and the
terms ‘public’ and ‘private’ are redefined (Oswell 2013, p.96-97). Furthermore, this new
approach allows a better appreciation by central government of the economic potential of its
masses through the monitoring of labour and wealth. The ‘population’ becomes an entity in
its own right, ‘subject to its own laws and processes’ (Smith 2012, p.27). Within this
‘population’ is the individual, who needs to be managed, governed but also made responsible.
The rise of science and of the humanities during the Enlightenment period also generates a
new body of knowledge which in turn creates ‘experts’ in various fields, devaluating the
authority of the family and its subordination to this new wealth of knowledge as Lasch (1979)
explains:
The history of modern society [...] is the assertion of social control over activities once
left to individuals and families. During the first stage of the industrial revolution,
capitalists took production out of the household and collectivized it [...]. Then, they
proceeded to appropriate the workers’ skills and technical knowledge by means of
‘scientific management’ [...]. Finally they extended their control over the worker’s private
life as well, as doctors, psychiatrists, teachers, child guidance experts, officers of the
juvenile courts and other specialists began to supervise child-rearing [..].
(Lasch, 1979: xiv-xv in Oswell, 2013, p.94)
The most efficient way to establish new sets of knowledge and to form new subjects is
through the education of the ‘malleable child’, referred above as the ‘blank slate’ on which
the future can be written. Oswell (2013) writes that ‘the child becomes a central means
through which individuals and populations can be governed’ (p.97). Children have become
objects of disciplinary knowledge and power by the state. While this objectification rests on
families in the middle social classes under ‘supervised freedom’ and the direction of
‘experts’, sole holders of knowledge , the working classes are targeted in a more aggressive
manner and placed under ‘constant surveillance and reform’ (p. 98). Although the first
schools of the 19th
C were religious and aimed at educating middle class boys (Smith 2011,
p.28), the institutionalised education of the masses by the State is well under way towards the
beginning of the 20th
century. Furthermore, educating all children regardless of their social
backgrounds allowed the new modern nation-state to forge its identity and unity through a
harmonised popular culture, serving the nationalistic agenda. Pierre Bourdieu, a French
sociologist, explains that schools are the ideal site for this ‘social conditioning’ producing
what Bourdieu calls the concept of ‘habitus’, which can be defined as ‘people’s attachment to
5. Valerie Desirotte – June 2013
5 | P a g e
a nation as learned and habituated but open to modification and reconstruction through
reflexive agency and educational practices’ (Farrell 2010, p. 108). In England, Oswell (2013)
explains that the curriculum helped shape a hegemonic control of both social order and
national identity at the expense of ‘sub’cultures and practices (p.134-135). From an economic
and social perspective, the division of schools served the purpose of the state in reproducing
social class and their labour skills, i.e. mental or physical.
Ariès argues that the school played a central role ‘in shaping modern ideas of
childhood, and the school as constituting a disciplinary system’ (in Oswell 2013, p.10). He
goes even further by stating that the development of the modern school is a history of
imprisonment in the ‘claustration of the boarding school’ where ‘the solicitude of the family,
Church, moralists and administrators deprived the child of the freedom he had hitherto
enjoyed among adults’ (p. 28). Foucault talks about the idea of discipline, central to
governmentality, through the institutionalisation of the notion of childhood, which limits
freedom to ‘purified and enclosed spaces’, i.e. the classroom (Oswell 2013, p.29). Space is
only one of the disciplinary technologies that Foucault refers to in order to produce ‘docile
bodies’, the ‘formal techniques and operations that create human bodies as objects to be
moulded’ (Cannella 1999, p.40). Other disciplinary technologies in education include
curriculum development, teaching management methods and evaluation. However, the
control and production of docile bodies requires standards of normality, which rest on the
dominant discourse of the time. Discourses (i.e. ways of thinking and producing meaning) are
‘normalising’; in other words, when a discourse is seen as ‘truth’ by a majority of the
population, it becomes the norm. Against this norm, we then determine what is ‘abnormal’, or
as Foucault also calls it, ‘reason’ vs ‘folly’. Paradoxically, we are victims and perpetrators at
the same time of what is seen as the norm, which dominates and subjugates us.
Scientific developments and a new discourse in the second half of the 20th
century: the child-centred approach in education
Following the religiously driven paradox of ‘morality vs immorality’ on which our
conception of childhood education was based in the 19th
and early 20th
century, the second
half of the 20th
century sees the emergence of the ‘adjustment vs maladjustment’ paradox,
which gives rise to a new educational discourse based on the psychological and physical
development of children (Smith, 2012, p. 35). As Cannella (1999) explains it:
The ‘individual’ ‘child’ is tested, examined, categorized, and appropriate experiences
prescribed. A discourse of education has emerged that legitimizes the belief that science
has revealed what younger human beings are like, what we can expect from them at various
ages, and how we should differentiate our treatment of them in educational settings. The
scientific notion of the child has been fully accepted and continues to dominate current
practice, as evidenced in the belief in educational knowledge bases that represent ‘the most
current knowledge of teaching and learning, as derived from theory, research, and practice.
(Cannella 1999, p.37)
6. Valerie Desirotte – June 2013
6 | P a g e
Indeed, developmental theories became very popular and shaped educational practice of the
last few decades. This new discourse, centred on the child, owes a great deal to Jean Piaget
(1896- 1990) and his cognitive developmental stage theory established in the 1960s. Piaget
divided children’s cognitive development into four stages each corresponding to a specific type
of cognitive development: sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational and formal
operational. Other eminent psychologists include Erik Erickson (1902 – 1994) and his theory
of human development (in eight stages, e.g. trust v. mistrust) and the three modes of cognitive
development theory by Jerome Bruner , i.e. Enactive: action-based, Iconic: image-based, and
Symbolic: language based. The adoption of a child-centred pedagogy shifts the focus from
teaching to learning ‘through doing’ (Oswell 2013, p. 122). The term ‘active learning’ becomes
very fashionable; desks are rearranged into groups, textbooks are put aside and the child
becomes the central focus of the classroom. The theory is that the teacher is no longer there to
teach and discipline children, but to ‘manage learning as a supervised freedom’ (p.122).
‘Supervised freedom’ is a recurrent theme throughout the history of education; it is indeed quite
difficult to create some sort of common structure and expect the participants to enjoy total
individual freedom as the latter can only happen within the boundaries of the former.
Cannella (1999) argues that educational discourse has fully accepted the ‘scientific
notion of a child’ and as a result, one is not ‘free to speak [one’s] mind’; rules and practices
have been set and some ideas are excluded if they differ from the beliefs held as ‘truth’ in the
educational world today, such as the notion of developmental change (p 38). Consequently,
this new discourse resulting from new knowledge, establishes a new ‘truth’, a new ‘normal’
and ‘abnormal’ on which to found educational practice and a new educational structure on
which institutions rely to educate children; but what about the disciplinary system, have
technologies evolved based on this new ‘child-centred approach’? Not according to Devine,
who in 1998 conducted research into children’s experience of schools in three Irish primary
schools representing children with different social backgrounds (Devine 2002, p. 308). She
focused on adult-child relations in two particular areas: the control of children’s time and space
in school and the control of their interaction (p. 309). Surveillance and control by adults still
occurred through the time and space dimensions; the separation of worktime and playtime, and
the division of subjects ruled by the almighty timetable, causes an unconscious understanding
in children of what is ‘valued in education (mathematical and linguistic skills) as well as the
primacy of work over play’ (p. 309). The older children had a clear understanding of why they
were in school that is to contribute one day to the economy by being educated and qualified.
She also pointed out the inadequate furniture facilitating the ‘implementation of ‘analytical
pedagogy (Foucault, 1979), by controlling and limiting children’s movement to maximise
discipline and learning’ (p. 311). Control of the self and self-discipline (i.e. personal and
behavioural habits) was also a major focus in the children’s daily lives in school. Deacon (2002)
quotes Foucault in relation to ‘procedures of identity-constitution or self-discipline’: ‘For
example, if we take educational institutions, we realise that one is managing others and
teaching them to manage themselves’ (p.435). Teaching children to govern themselves and the
supremacy of school subjects over others, which transforms them into marketable assets, is at
the heart of Western governmentality. Devine (2002) explains that this control over time and
space was decided by the adults, without any input from the children, hence reducing their
power, i.e. their agency, over the decisions being made.
In the 1980s, Anthony Giddens, British sociologist, looked at the interaction of structure
and agency. Although his theory did not relate to children in particular, many sociologists
researching childhood applied it to this context (Oswell, 2013, p. 44). Social structures are
7. Valerie Desirotte – June 2013
7 | P a g e
constructed by social agents (i.e every one of us is a social agent). In other words, we create
social structures through our interaction with each other and those same structures will,
subsequently, limit our own individual power. However, structures are not static and can
change through new interaction, resulting in power shifts. This is known as the duality of
structure:
Power is exercised in this process both in terms of transformation (empowerment) as well
as domination, the extent of empowerment or domination experienced dependent upon the
particular structural configurations operating within the social setting.
(Devine 1999, p. 307)
Therefore, the key is to find the balance between domination and empowerment; between the
weight of the structure on social agents (in this case the children) and their ability to act on it,
to shape it. Oswell (2013) says that Giddens understands ‘agency’ ‘in terms of knowledge and
reflexivity (i.e. the ability to know the world, but also to change it as a result of that knowing)’
(p. 47). Can children understand their world i.e. the school structure, and consciously change
it? In the current educational setting, can children be the agents of change? Are they empowered
enough by adults to do so? Not according to Devine who sees in our conception of childhood
as immature and ‘vulnerable’ a potential constraint to ‘their capacity for independent action’
and their socialisation process being carried out ‘in line with adult-defined goals and
expectations’. These concerns with children’s agency and rights (not just in school but in
general) were about to open the way to a new definition of childhood and a new dominant
discourse: one of voice and participation (Clark et al. 2005, p.2).
21st century: Children’s rights and agency - a new discourse within the context of
early childhood care and services in Ireland
Alison Clark (2005) identifies three main drivers giving rise to this new discourse. The
‘modern children’s rights movement’, which focuses on active participation and citizenship of
children and the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of Children which provide children with
the right to express their views and opinions freely (Article 12 and 13) and gives them freedom
of thought, conscience and religion (Article 14).
Secondly, sociologists of childhood redefining children as ‘beings’, not ‘becomings’ as it was
previously conceptualised (i.e. state of ‘incompleteness’ by Durkheim, or the developmental
process by Piaget), ‘whose ideas, approaches to life, choices and relationships are of interest in
their own right’ (p. 3), and thirdly, the emergence of consumerism, individualism and
‘customer satisfaction’, mainly through mediatisation of products, which gives rise to this
image of children seen as ‘customers and consumers’ (p. 3), exercising their power to choose
(e.g. clothes, toys, food). This new discourse encourages adults to listen to children and change
their perception of children as innocent, immature, in need of discipline and a sense of
direction. Our conception of childhood for the last 200 years is being challenged; if Ariès was
still alive, he might say that we are trying to turn back the time and erase this divide we created
between childhood and adulthood. However, habits die hard. Is this new discourse really
reflected in new governmental policies? Are we really dedicated in giving children a voice and
allow them to participate in decisions that affect their lives or does it simply hide a recurring
political agenda of economic growth and self-governance? Can we cater for the rights of the
child and the future of the nation equally or does one need to be subservient to the other?
8. Valerie Desirotte – June 2013
8 | P a g e
International context to Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)
The Organisation for Economic co-operation and Development (OECD) and the
European Union (EU) have been promoting the development of ECCE throughout Europe for
the last two decades. Numerous documents were published by the two organisations and
Member States were encouraged to draft legislation and implement policies. At the 2002
Barcelona European Council, EU Member States agreed to provide ‘full day places in formal
childcare arrangements to at least 90% of children between 3 and compulsory school age and
at least to 33% of children under 3’ by 2010 (COM/2011/66Final, p. 2). The EU’s motives for
the development of ECCE provision are clear; in 2011 a Communication from the Commission
outlines their goals: promoting education from an early age with a view to reduce the number
of low-skilled workers, and to integrate minorities and people with low-income backgrounds
as ECCE can ‘help lift children out of poverty and family dysfunction’ while ‘reducing the
costs for society in terms of lost talent and of public spending on social, health and even justice
systems’(COM/2011/66Final, p.1). Furthermore they are aiming to ‘create a more skilled
workforce capable of contributing and adjusting to technological change’ (p. 1). Once more,
education is seen as the best medium to control the ‘problematic’ lower classes through the
education of youth and to produce ‘docile bodies’ out of these ‘blank slates’ (even more so at
3 years of age than at 6 or 8). As stated above, educating all children regardless of their social
backgrounds allows the new modern nation-state, in this case the EU, to forge its identity and
unity through a harmonised popular culture serving the European political agenda for social
and economic integration. The Tindeman Report in 1970 declared that ‘education should be
used as a means to create a ‘Europe of the people’’, hence modifying children’s habitus to
include an attachment to the European ideal (Farrell 2010, p. 109). However, the new discourse
on children’s voice and participation is filtering through as it is recommended that the
curriculum meets ‘children’s full range of needs, cognitive, emotional, social and physical’,
supported by qualified staff able to reflect on pedagogical practice (p. 6). Once more, is it really
possible to put the child’s needs first whilst ensuring the economic future of the Union?
Children’s rights and the institutionalisation of ECCE in Ireland
The regulation by the Irish State of early childhood services came as the result of both
external (European and international focus on ECCE) and internal forces such as socio-
economic growth and cultural changes (e.g. increased women’s participation in the workforce,
the legalisation of divorce, increased number of single-parent families and immigration) and,
of course, the dissemination of knowledge based on research advocating the benefits of an early
start into the world of education (NESF Report, 2005, pp.10-11). In other words, ECCE
became a necessary investment for the future well-being and economic strength of the nation.
Despite two decades of prosperity, children living in poverty, a lack of academic achievement
and juvenile delinquency is still an issue in Ireland, as well as the increasing number of political
and economic refugees whose children need to be integrated to the Irish nation. All of these
factors forced the Irish Government to legislate on ECCE services as a matter of urgency and
in 1996, The ‘Child Care Regulations’ focused on the practicalities of childcare: the setting,
the health and safety provisions, food and nutrition, the provision of toys, etc. (refer to lecture
slides). However, it was not until the year 2000 that the government laid out the structural
foundations of this new institution by publishing their approach to children’s rights in Ireland
in line with the UN Convention and the EU’s definitions. The ‘National Children’s Strategy’
was to be the cornerstone of the future ‘National Quality Framework for Early Childhood
9. Valerie Desirotte – June 2013
9 | P a g e
Education’ (Síolta 2006) and of the ‘Early Childhood Curriculum Framework’ (Aistear 2009),
in which the values of the 2000 document would be replicated and built upon.
Ireland embraces fully this new discourse and reinforces the fundamental values
underpinning this new outlook on children’s rights. It advocates dignity and respect for
children, acknowledges their contribution to Irish society as young citizens with rights and
responsibilities and declares that the best ‘interest of the child should be the primary concern
of policy-making’ (National Children’s Strategy 2000, p.4). However, the traditional
typification of children remains strong as they are also seen as being ‘vulnerable’ and in need
of ‘adult protection’ (p. 5), which in itself is commanding insofar as it does not have ‘negative
implications for their construction of themselves as individuals with particular rights and
status’ (Devine 1999, p. 308).
In the last ten years, Ireland published many reports and policy documents surrounding the area
of ECCE (NESF Report, 2005, x, for a non-exhaustive list of policy documents up to 2005).
Drawing on the EU’s and the OECD’s support, a ‘framework of analysis was operationalised’
under headings such as ‘expanding provision’, increase co-operation, raise quality of provision
and staff, and develop pedagogies (NESF Report, 2005, xi). The new structure was slowly put
into place as the government distributed responsibilities among various departments, agencies
and offices and drafted new policies; Foucault’s notion of the apparatus was under
construction:
‘a thoroughly heterogeneous ensemble including in some instances ‘discourses,
institutions, architectural forms, regulatory decisions, laws, administrative measures,
scientific statements, philosophical, moral and philanthropic propositions – in short, the
said as much as the unsaid’ [...] the apparatus is not external to power; it is the shape and
organisation of power’
(Oswell, 2013, pp. 73-74)
These policies, regulations, reports, etc. reflect Ireland’s approach to early childhood; its
understanding of what is ‘best’, ‘right’ and ‘ethical’ for children. MacNaughton (2005) warns
against the effects of ‘privileging one form of knowledge of children and of early childhood
over another’ and how knowledge is, according to Foucault, a political construction, serving
the interests of some groups over others (p. 1-2). Furthermore, she explains Foucault’s view
that this new ‘truth’ about how best to educate young children in this case, is nothing but ‘a
fiction created through ‘truth games’ that express the politics of knowledge of the time and
place’ (Foucault 1979 in MacNaughton, 2005, p. 5). However, based on my limited experience
of the subject, I find it hard to fault Ireland’s theoretical approach to childcare: Síolta’s
principles (www.siolta.ie/principles) acknowledges childhood as a ‘significant and distinct
time in life that must be nurtured, respected, valued and supported in its own right’. It promotes
equality, cultural and linguistic diversity and acknowledges the role of the physical
environment in children’s development and learning. The child’s agency is clearly recognised
as central to his/her own development and their competence as a learner from birth is supported.
Furthermore, the child’s ‘individuality, strengths, rights and needs’ are seen as paramount to
‘the provision of quality early childhood experiences’. Who would not want to grow up in
Ireland when the notion of childhood is based on such ‘faultless’ principles..?
10. Valerie Desirotte – June 2013
10 | P a g e
However, Síolta’s standards (www.siolta.ie/standards) unveils the technical apparatus
(i.e. how to govern) regulating early childhood experiences. For example, the environments
(standard no. 2) must be ‘well maintained, safe, [...] and developmentally appropriate’; who
defines what ‘safe’ is or what is ‘developmentally appropriate’? The safety aspect is the
responsibility of the 2011 HSE Regulations, while the ‘developmentally appropriate’ is still
probably determined by science. Standard no. 5 regulates the ‘interactions’ between children
and between adults and children. In all cases, ‘fostering constructive interactions requires
explicit policies, procedures and practice’. Play (standard 6) and exploration, creativity and
meaning-making must be given ‘well-resourced opportunities’; in other words constructed and
structured by the adults. The whole social setting of the child is organised based on scientific
knowledge and adults’ intervention. Within such setting, children must be encouraged to be as
free as possible! Oswell (2013) argues, and rightly so, that children’s social agency ‘is always
situated and composed of the resources to hand within particular social settings’, in this case a
crèche or a playschool, and that resources available to children are a direct consequence of a
‘particular institutional and discursive setting’ (p. 129) as demonstrated in Síolta. Reflection,
policies, planning, evaluation and procedures control every aspect of ‘curriculum’,
‘organisation’, ‘communication’, ‘professional practice’ (standards 7, 10, 11, 12). Even the
issues of ‘identity and belonging’ and ‘community involvement’ rely on such written
documentation. The child’s physical, cognitive and emotional development is structured in a
particular way through the disciplinary technologies of the institution. Once more, the structure
put into place decides what is ‘good’ or ‘normal’ and what is ‘bad’ or ‘abnormal’. There is no
choice but to be ‘equitable’ ‘respectful’, ‘actively participating’, ‘creative’ and ‘open’ as
defined by the new quality standards.
The 2006 Child Care (pre-school services) Regulations tackle the structure of space and
defines what purpose should the furniture, equipment and materials serve, i.e. help ‘create an
accessible, challenging and stimulating environment’ and that they should also be appropriate
to the children’s ages and stages of development’ (Carswell 2013). Whereas many of the
principles of Síolta can also be found in Aistear, the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework
(2009), the latter focuses mainly on learning and development, while the former is more
concerned with quality as a whole (NCCA, Aistear, the Early Childhood Curriculum
Framework: Audit: similiarities and differences, 2009, p.4). Aistear defines how children learn
and develop ‘best’ within certain parameters, or themes, which set out the learning goals and
experiences, that should be created for and by the children: well-being, communication,
exploring and thinking, and identity and belonging. Finally, the Health Service Executive
(HSE) is responsible for assessing and controlling the implementation of these measures; it
ensures that the basic needs of the children are met, that the physical and material environment,
as well as the activities, supports the development of the child, as per the agreed standards of
what is ‘best’ and ‘right’ (Carswell, 2013) The learning environment is set, structured, well
documented and reflected upon continuously by adults, but must remain ‘an inviting
environment [for] children to explore and to take advantage of opportunities for fun, choice,
freedom, adventure, and challenge’ (Aistear 2009, p.12) but within the constraints of Health
and Safety Regulations, Síolta’s principles and Standards and the scientific notion of
‘appropriate development’. The term ‘supervised freedom’ in ‘purified and enclosed spaces’
comes back to mind (Oswell 2013, p. 29).
In order to be part of the free pre-school year programme, which was recently
introduced by the government, pre-schools must be ‘Síolta compliant’. Given the success of
11. Valerie Desirotte – June 2013
11 | P a g e
the programme (97% of eligible children are availing of the scheme – Carswell 2013), this will
ensure that the dissemination of the new dominant discourse establishes a new ‘norm’ in early
childhood education advocating what and how to learn, and how to teach it within the
‘appropriate’ regulated structure. The children’s habitus is being modified and reconstructed;
being a child in Ireland will be a reflection of these new educational practices.
However, drafting policies and guidelines is not sufficient unless they are properly
implemented and this might take another few years. The gap between legislative theory and
professional practice is still an issue. According to Foucault, One important step in the
institutionalisation of childhood is the development of a body of experts, especially of teachers
and carers whom imparts the knowledge based on the new discourse onto the children. The
professional requirements for childcare workers are quite low and as a result the profession is
undervalued and often paid just over the minimum wage, which can lead to a lack of
understanding of children and questionable practices (Primetime 2013).
The new discourse seems to reinforce children’s agency and view them as ‘competent
social actors’ who have the right and the ability to be ‘participants in society’ on a more equal
footing with adults (Smith 2011, p. 30). However, Smith warns that this ‘responsibilisation’ of
children is just another way for advanced liberal governments to control individuals through
regulation of the self and placing the onus on the child to make his/her own decisions, hence
assume the risks:
From the perspective of governmentality it is not just that government operates through
freedom, but that individual freedom is itself a form of control – sovereignty over the self
(Citing Rose, 1999a, in Smith 2011, p. 32)
Kjorholt (2005) expands on the concept of freedom by saying that:
One might argue that young children’s verbal expression of their desires and choices [...]
mirror discourses on extreme forms of individualism in the institutional context. In other
words, the children choose and express wishes and desires from a limited repertoire of
subject positions made available to them within particular discursive practices that are
constructed by the adults in the institutions
(Clark et al 2005, p.167)
Therefore, giving children agency within a certain adult-defined structure (physical and
ideological) is just another way of controlling children. Agency as defined by children might
be very different in its conception to that of adults.
Conclusion
Our conception of childhood and children may have evolved in the last 200 years, from
a religious belief which conceptualised the child as innocent or malevolent, a scientific belief
based on their biological and psychological development, and finally to the recognition of their
12. Valerie Desirotte – June 2013
12 | P a g e
rights to participate and express their views. However, I agree with Smith (2012) when she
says that our latest view on children’s rights and responsibilities ‘supplements rather than
supplants earlier modes of conceptualizing/regulating childhood’ (p. 34). We still see children
as innocent and ‘vulnerable’ as stated in the 2000 National Children’s Strategy, we still base
our pedagogical practice on what is ‘developmentally appropriate’ and the space in which
education occurs is still ‘purified and enclosed’, even more so today than perhaps a hundred
year ago. Our discourse about children has evolved rather than dramatically change. However,
whatever its form or content, any type of discourse, according to Foucault, is dangerous without
‘continued examination’ (Cannella 1999, p.38). Furthermore, regardless of the ideas conveyed
by discourse, it is impossible for individuals to have ‘neutral and value-free relationships and
practices’ as we cannot ‘stand outside power relations’ and offer ‘disinterested and benign
knowledge and opinions’ (Clark 2005, p. 9). As Foucault said, ‘power is always present: I mean
the relationship in which one wishes to direct the behaviour of another’ (Foucault, 1987, p.11,
in Clark et al 2005, p.9). Children have always been considered as ‘the future’ whether for
religious dissemination purposes or for the economic and cultural survival of the nation-state;
their education is seen as an investment by governments for the well-being of tomorrow’s
society. Although the latest discourse seems to empower children, it may also highlight and
increase inequalities amongst children whom voices will not all be as powerful, thus
‘privileging the voices and meanings of the powerful’ (MacNaughton 2003, in Clark et al 2005,
p.10). In other words, any knowledge, discourse or structure creates unequal human relations
and restricts our freedom of thought and movement. Our agency is therefore limited to our
understanding of what we can or cannot change and to the power exercised upon us by the
institutions. The role of educators is to continuously reflect on those power relationships and
how their decisions may affect children’s ‘true’ voice and participation.
References
Barcelona European Council (2002), Presidency Conclusions [online], available:
http://ec.europa.eu/research/era/docs/en/council-eu-30.pdf [14/12/2012].
Cannella, G.S. (1999) ‘The Scientific Discourse of Education: predetermining the lives of
others – Foucault, education, and children’, Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, Vol. 1,
No.1, pp. 36-44.
Carswell, D. (2013) ‘Towards an ECCE Curriculum’, EN7732: Deconstructing and
Reconstructing Early Childhood Pedagogy: Developing Criticality and Reflexivity, 12-13
Apr, University of Limerick, Unpublished.
Childcare (Pre-School Services) (No. 2) Regulations 2006, Dublin: Stationery Office.
Clark, A., Kjorholt, A., Moss, P. (2005) Beyond Listening: Children’s perspectives on early
childhood perspectives, Bristol: The Policy Press.
13. Valerie Desirotte – June 2013
13 | P a g e
COM (2011) 66 final: Early Childhood Education and Care: Providing all our children with
the best start for the world of tomorrow.
Deacon, R. (2002) ‘Truth, Power and Pedagogy: Michel Foucault on the rise of disciplines’,
Educational Philosophy and Theory, Vol. 34, Issue 4, pp. 435-458.
Devine, D. (2002) ‘Children’s Citizenship and the structuring of adult-child relations in the
primary school’, Childhood, Vol. 9, pp. 303-320.
Farrell, L. (2010) ‘European Identity: Theories of habitus & cultural capital’, available:
http://www.spr.tcdlife.ie/seperatearticles/xxarticles/theoryidentity.pdf [15/05/2013]
Irish Government (2000) National Children’s Strategy, Dublin: Government Publications.
Lemke, T. (2002) ‘Foucault, Governmentality, and Critique, Rethinking Marxism’, A Journal
of Economics, Culture and Society, Vol. 14, Issue 3, pp. 49-64
MacNaughton, G. (2005) Doing Foucault in Early Childhood Studies: Applying Post-
Structural Ideas, Routledge Falmer.
NCCA (2009) Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework: Audit: similarities and
differences, Dublin: NCCA.
NESF (2005) Early Childhood Care and Education, 31, Dublin: NESF.
Oswell, D. (2013) The Agency of Children: From Family to Global Human Rights, Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press.
Primetime (2013) RTE1, 28 May, 21h30.
Síolta: The National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education (2013) [online],
available: www.siolta.ie [accessed 02/05/2013].
Smith, K. (2012) ‘Producing Governable Subjects: Images of Childhood old and new’,
Childhood, Vol. 19, pp. 24-37.
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), available:
http://www.dcya.gov.ie/documents/unrightsofchild/UN_Convention_on_the_rights_of_the_c
hild.pdf [31/05/2013]