This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Edwards, S. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

from developmental-constructivism to socio-cultural theory and practice

an expansive analysis of teachers' professional learning in early childhood education

Monash University, Australia

In recent years, sociocultural theory has become an increasingly popular theoretical explanation for development and learning in early childhood education. The articulation of sociocultural theory to practice by teachers used to a predominately developmental-constructivist theoretical perspective represents an area of emerging research interest. This article examines the appropriation of sociocultural theory by a group of Australian early childhood educators participating in a professional development program informed by Developmental Work Research (DWR). The DWR methodology offers the opportunity to examine the processes involved for educators when learning to operate within a new conceptual framework and the implications this holds for their practice. The findings suggest that appropriation of a new theoretical framework such as sociocultural theory involves educators critiquing and analysing existing practices, participating in opportunities to implement new models of work in addition to reflection on new ways of seeing children, growth, learning and development.

Key Words: activity theory • curriculum • early childhood education • sociocultural theory

Journal of Early Childhood Research, Vol. 5, No. 1, 83-106 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1476718X07072155


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. E. Wohlwend mediated discourse analysis: researching young children's non-verbal interactions as social practice Journal of Early Childhood Research, October 1, 2009; 7(3): 228 - 243. [Abstract] [PDF]