Informal Learning Environments and Reminiscing: The Value of Connecting to Home (Poster 1)

• In Event: Past, Present, and Futures: Intentional Dreaming With Early-Career Researchers About Museum Education and Research

Abstract

Introduction
In recent years, informal learning environments (ILEs) have increased interest in fostering social emotional learning (SEL) and empathy, particularly for ILEs with living collections (Murawski, 2016; Pedretti & Iannini, 2020; Young et al., 2018). Zoos have an opportunity to provide young children and their caregivers with meaningful experiences that can serve as markers for important reminiscing conversations at home.

Theoretical Background and Research Question
“Reminiscing” is used in this paper to mean a conversation about shared past events which include reflection as to why said events are meaningful to the individuals involved.
A significant body of literature has linked reminiscing with a caregiver to the development of prosocial behavior and SEL, including empathy, in young children (Fivush et al., 2006; Habermas & Reese, 2015; Nelson & Fivush, 2004; Salmon & Reece, 2016; Pavlova et al., 2021).

This is an examination of one theme from a larger study guided by the research questions:
This study was guided by the research question:
1) How do children learn empathy for more-than-human others through reminiscing with caregivers about ILE experiences?
a) How do caregivers utilize support from the zoo to have elaborative reminiscing conversations?
b) What contextual factors potentially contribute to or detract from elaborative reminiscence during these conversations?

Methods and Data
This is part of a larger field-based qualitative study. Observation notes and audio recordings of conversations between adult caregiver-child dyads were collected in a zoo setting, both in the context of participating in an early childhood program, and the general zoo exploration which followed. Video data of reminiscing conversations was later collected in the homes of dyads. Two cycles of zoo visit followed by home recording occurred for each participating dyad. Home sessions occurred at predetermined times, conducted by the families. The researcher provided conversation prompts and recording equipment. This data was complemented by semi-structured interviews with adult caregivers.

Findings
One theme from a wider set of findings (Holm Tobin, in progress) is presented here, the value of connecting with the home environment for the reminiscing conversations.

Author

• Emily Holm Tobin, University of Washington