ERIC Number: EJ854438
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009-Jun
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1836-9391
EISSN: N/A
The Australian Early Development Index, Who Does It Measure: Piaget or Vygotsky's Child?
Agbenyega, Joseph
Australasian Journal of Early Childhood, v34 n2 p31-38 Jun 2009
Several psychological instruments have been developed and used over the years to measure various domains of child development. The Australian Early Development Index (AEDI) is a current assessment tool being used as a community measure of young children's development. It measures the following domains: Physical health and wellbeing; Social competence; Emotional maturity; Language and cognitive skills; Communication skills and general knowledge. This article examines the tacit nuanced construction of the child within the AEDI, and critiques this within a cultural-historical theoretical perspective of child development. The paper argues that the AEDI image of the child has its roots in Piagetian and Gesellian stage theories of universality. This position is juxtaposed with more encompassing views held in the Vygotskian tradition. The paper advances arguments for an alternative consideration of child development that does not prescribe vulnerability to certain groups of children.
Descriptors: Physical Health, Communication Skills, Interpersonal Competence, Child Development, Young Children, Foreign Countries, Psychometrics, Psychological Studies, Well Being, Social Development, Emotional Development, Language Skills, Cognitive Ability, Knowledge Level, Cultural Influences, Theories, Children
Early Childhood Australia. P.O. Box 7105, Watson, ACT 2602, Australia. Tel: +61-2-6242-1800; Fax: +61-2-6242-1818; e-mail: publishing@earlychildhood.org.au; Web site: http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A