ERIC Number: EJ1120944
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1350-293X
EISSN: N/A
Sign Making, Coordination of Perspectives, and Conceptual Development
Magnusson, Maria; Pramling, Niklas
European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, v24 n6 p841-856 2016
In this empirical study we analyse how children (aged four- to six-years-old) through communicative engagement with their teachers around their own drawings are supported in developing representational insight, that is, going from indicative sign-making to symbolic understanding. Theoretically, the analysis is informed by a sociocultural perspective, particularly Vygotsky's work on concept development. The empirical data consist of approximately five hours of video observations of teacher-child communication in preschool. The activities analysed were designed by the teachers according to two different principles for facilitating discernment of the conventional meaning of symbols: contrast and induction. While one design is seen to be more powerful than the other in supporting children's symbolic development, these patterns are, in the study and in everyday early childhood practice, intertwined with other communicative features such as establishing intersubjectivity. The implications for research and educational practice are discussed.
Descriptors: Concept Formation, Young Children, Teacher Student Relationship, Signs, Social Theories, Learning Theories, Social Influences, Cultural Influences, Educational Practices, Classroom Communication, Preschool Children, Preschool Teachers, Early Childhood Education, Foreign Countries
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Preschool Education; Early Childhood Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Sweden
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A