Collaboration as a Cultural Practice in Mapuche Children: Working Together Towards a Common Goal

• In Event: Children’s strengths for learning and communication in LOPI, in Indigenous-heritage communities of the Americas

Abstract

This study examined cultural patterns of collaboration among rural Mapuche children in Chile. Three groups of 4 children (age 7-11) were videotaped as they participated in a construction 3D foosball table. Every 10 s coders noted how the children coordinated either: mutually involved, triadic, dyadic or individual contribution, or task-off and if the leadership was organized either: horizontally, one leads collaboration, proposal building, building negotiating agreement or boss-implement. Younger children coordinated through individual contributions, whereas older children engaged in mutually involved collaboration. The leadership was organized horizontally in both groups. Results are linked to practices in Mapuche communities where children's Learning by Observing and Pitching In (LOPI) is common. Indigenous communities collaborate flexibly integrating their goals, ideas and action in shared direction.

Author

• Paula Alonqueo, University of La Frontera