Play, Learning, and Children's Development
Everyday Life in Families and Transition to School

This book explores the dynamics in children's everyday lives as they move between the school and the family.

Mariane Hedegaard (Author), Marilyn Fleer (Author)

9781107531635, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 July 2015

240 pages, 13 b/w illus. 5 tables
23 x 15.3 x 1.2 cm, 0.4 kg

'The authors' findings yield value that transcends specific nationalities and culture-imposed boundaries to pinpoint the power of children to play a dynamic role in the construction of family pedagogy and ultimately their own development … Recommended.' S. Durr, Choice

This book explores the dynamics in children's everyday lives as they move between school and the family, with particular consideration of how children's motives change in response to new challenges. Professors Mariane Hedegaard and Marilyn Fleer follow four children, two from Australia and two from Denmark, over a twelve-month period. Using these case studies, they show how children's everyday activities, play, and the demands of both family and educational contexts influence their learning and development. The authors contribute to a sociocultural theory formulation that includes the child's perspective in cultural historical contexts. Their approach yields insights that transcend specific nationalities, cultures, and socioeconomic situations. The analysis shows not just how children's family life shapes their experiences in school, but how schools influence and shape their lives at home.

Foreword
Part I. A Wholeness Approach to the Study of Children's Everyday Life: 1. Children's social situation and their activities in everyday settings
2. The conditions that family practices create for children's learning and development
3. Societal conditions shape family practices
Part II. Family Activity Settings: 4. Morning routines in families
5. Walking to school
6. Afterschool settings and homework activities
7. Relaxing at home - unstructured times in families
8. The afterschool period - outdoor play at home
9. Evening meals
10. Bedtime routines
Part III. Children Entering School Practices and Participating in Different Settings: 11. Entering into school practice
12. How schools create conditions for being a successful school child
Part IV. Learning, Play, and Children's Development: 13. Children's everyday life in families and across into school.

Subject Areas: Educational psychology [JNC], Social, group or collective psychology [JMH], Child & developmental psychology [JMC]