Overview
An exploration of the meaning-making experiences of very young children as they begin to communicate with the world and those around them.
This paper begins from the words of Loris Malaguzzi (1996):
The child is made of one hundred. The child has a hundred languages, a hundred hands, a hundred thoughts, a hundred ways of thinking of playing, of speaking.
A hundred always a hundred ways of listening, of marvelling of loving, a hundred joys, for singing and understanding.
A hundred worlds to discover
A hundred worlds to invent
A hundred worlds to dream.
The child has a hundred languages (and a hundred hundred hundred more)...
This paper explores the meaning-making experiences of the very young child as they begin to communicate with the world and those around them, including both adults and other children.
About this paper
| Paper title | The Languages of Children |
|---|---|
| Subject | Education |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 2
(On campus)
Semester 2 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $993.75 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- EDCR 101
- Limited to
- BTchg
- Notes
- Early Childhood Education students only.
- Contact
Dr Sonya Gaches, sonya.gaches@otago.ac.nz
- Teaching staff
Paper Co-ordinator: Dr Sonya Gaches
- Paper Structure
- Cultural constructions and representation of language
- Cultural icons and meaning-making for children in the early years
- Language acquisition - current understandings:
- Theories and research
- Second language learning
- Application and critical review of theories of language acquisition
- Multiple means of communication in the early years:
- Expressive media: art, drama, dance, music
- Literacy practices and theories in the early years
- Socio-cultural perspectives:
- Early literacy and graphicacy
- Pedagogy practices, assessment and evaluation in promoting successful communication and meaning making
- Implications for Aotearoa/New Zealand:
- Introduction to social te reo Māori
- Introduction to NZ Sign Language
- Textbooks
Required Texts:
Clark, B., Grey, A & Terreni, L. (2013) Kia Tipu te Wairua Toi - Fostering the Creative Spirit, Auckland: Pearson.
Hamer, J. & Adams, P. (2006). The New Zealand early childhood literacy handbook. Palmerston North: Dunmore Press Ltd.
New Zealand Ministry of Education. (1996). Te whāriki: He whāriki matauranga mo nga mokopuna o Aotearoa: Early childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
New Zealand Ministry of Education. (2011). Tātaiako: Cultural competencies for teachers of Māori learners. Wellington: Ministry of Education & New Zealand Teachers Council.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Information literacy, Research.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the cultural constructions of language and expression of language in the early years
- Evaluate current understandings and application of language acquisition in Aotearoa New Zealand
- Identify the multiple modes of communication in the early years
- Investigate and assess literacy practices and theories in the early years
- Demonstrate an understanding of pedagogical practice in supporting and promoting successful meaning-making and communication for the young child