Papers by Anita Mortlock
In this article I discuss toddlers’ use of ritual to construct and consolidate a sense of togethe... more In this article I discuss toddlers’ use of ritual to construct and consolidate a sense of togetherness. The findings are based on a qualitative case study that generated narratives, which focused on the uses of equipment and materials by four very young children. Notions of togetherness (Van Oers & Hännikäinen, 2001; De Haan & Singer, 2001) and ritual (Turner, 1974; Imber-Black & Roberts, 1992) were used as orienting concepts for interpreting the narratives. The toddlers’ uses for commonplace ‘things’ that were associated with the daily routine differed to that of the adults, and suggested that the toddlers purposefully and playfully appropriated, modified and resisted structures imposed by the adult world. In doing so, they created rituals of belonging and peer togetherness.
Learning as part of a group on the mat is a common experience in children’s early education and s... more Learning as part of a group on the mat is a common experience in children’s early education and socialisation. Indeed, many classrooms would have a mat, to which the children are called in addition to chairs and tables (Poveda, 2001). Nonetheless, very little research exists about activity using the mat in junior classrooms either locally or internationally, particularly in relation to children’s perspectives. This paper reports recent findings from a doctoral study that investigated children’s experiences of working together on the mat in three year-two classrooms. Data were gathered through video-observations of teacher-facilitated activity on the mat and semi-structured interviews with children and teachers. The findings suggested that participation on the mat was affected by children’s relationships with each other. Specifically, social dynamics within the children’s peer group appeared to enable or block active participation for particular individuals. Teachers utilised inclusive strategies to ameliorate the affect of the peer group and to enhance participation for children who struggled to secure an active role.
Narrating stories about one’s life to a group of people can be challenging for adults, therefore ... more Narrating stories about one’s life to a group of people can be challenging for adults, therefore it is unsurprising that some children may experience anxiety at the prospect. Content analysis was undertaken of ten picture books concerned with ‘show-and-tell’. Three themes were found that related to ‘being known’, ‘being better’, and ‘being judged’. These themes are consistent with the studies of ‘show-and-tell’, suggesting that it is a socially complex event. More research is required about facilitating ‘show-and-tell’ in ways that are cognisant of the speaker and their narrative, and that also accounts for the interplay between the peer group and the teacher’s goals.
With the onset of National Standards, early childhood teachers may feel increasing pressure to ad... more With the onset of National Standards, early childhood teachers may feel increasing pressure to adopt formal literacy and numeracy instruction methods in order to prepare children for school. In terms of children's preparation for school, adults need to think beyond the acquisition of academic skills. This article argues that such thinking should encapsulate relationships, children's feelings of power and safety, the family and concepts of the 'whole child'. The following article considers early childhood and school settings as culturally defined spaces by using the image of the woven mat. It is argued that the four principles of the early childhood curriculum provide an effective framework for teachers in schools and early childhood centres to use in assisting children and their families to move from early childhood education to school.
Friendship and mat time: The shadowy underground of popularity in children's peer culture
Talks by Anita Mortlock
Contemporary work from psychology and education has much to tell us about very young children's f... more Contemporary work from psychology and education has much to tell us about very young children's friendships, status, and peer culture in early childhood. Specifically, we can deduce how some children become highly chosen, whereas others struggle to be included.
Slow Education by Anita Mortlock
Uploads
Papers by Anita Mortlock
Talks by Anita Mortlock
Slow Education by Anita Mortlock