Early Learning and Teaching: How Do Preschoolers Decide Who to Learn From and Who to Teach?

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

Children’s early learning experiences are largely shaped by their interactions with the social world. The social other plays a significant role in children’s early learning experiences, as it is through these interactions that children acquire new information about the world. To navigate these interactions children rely on various cues from the social other. This session will focus on three cues that children use when deciding who to learn from and who to teach. The first two studies presented will consider children’s evaluation of adult explanations, and adult behaviors when making decisions about informant credibility. The third study will highlight the intersection of learning and teaching and how children rely on cues of the social other when deciding who to teach.

Sub Unit

• Division E - Counseling and Human Development / Section 2: Human Development

Chair

• Katelyn E. Kurkul, Merrimack College

Papers

• “Why Does Rain Fall?” Children Prefer to Learn From an Informant Who Uses Noncircular Explanations - Katelyn E. Kurkul, Merrimack College

• Learning Self-Regulatory Strategies: The Role of Content - Grace Min, Boston University

• The Development of Preschoolers as Teachers - Samuel Ronfard, Harvard University

Discussant

• Kathleen H. Corriveau, Boston University