To consider the influence of culture on the development and the learning disposition of a child

Aim

To consider the influence of culture on the development and the learning disposition of a child.

Evidence and reflection

Think of a child in your setting. Consider the way culture and experiences influence the child’s understanding, the language he or she uses and the learning disposition he or she adopts. If you have time, it would be valuable to talk to the child, their parents, and your peers to improve the quality of your evidence.

Extension

Repeat this exercise with different children, or compare the results of the same activity conducted by a colleague. What insights are produced by comparisons of children of different sex, ethnicity, religion, social class? You can see some examples of this sort of analysis in the final chapters of Pollard and Filer (1996, 1999).