The Primary English Encyclopedia: The Heart of the Curriculum, Third Edition
See also Bristol Language at Home and School Project, reading environment, zone of proximal development
Perhaps it is Vygotsky who most powerfully brought the notion of the enabling adult to a form which communicated to the teacher in the classroom (Vygotsky, 1986). Listening to a more mature person thinking through some information or an issue provides a scaffold for the young learner in any subject or area of expertise. This intellectual companionship stretches the possibilities for the young learner. Some parents and caregivers are particularly gifted at encouraging the kind of conversations which help young children to develop and extend their interest in the world around them and to grow intellectually. Gordon Wells and his team of researchers on the Language at Home and School project found that these life enhancing conversations occurred in all social groups (Wells, 1987, Chapter 1).
For a detailed and inspiring account of the role of the early years educator in supporting children’s literacy progress see Marian White-head’s analysis in Language and Literacy in the Early Years, Chapter 9.
Whitehead argues that teaching and demonstrating are important but the good early years educator should also provide ‘mothering’ support. By this she means that the good educator wishes for the success and achievements of the children and surrounds them with the incitement to succeed (Whitehead, 2004).
In English, the teacher is a model for children’s discussion and for their reading and writing. Aidan Chambers, writing specifically about reading, argues that all the other obstacles in the way of learner readers can be overcome if they have the help and example of a trusted, experienced adult reader (Chambers, 1991, p. 15).
Chambers, Aidan (1991) The Reading Environment: How Adults Help Children Enjoy Books Stroud: Thimble Press (see particularly Chapter 17).
Vygotsky, L.S. (1986 edition) Thought and Language Cambridge. Mass.: MIT.
Wells, Gordon (1987) ‘The children and their families’ in The Meaning Makers: Children Learning Language and Using Language to Learn London: Hodder & Stoughton.
Whitehead, Marian (2004) Language and Literacy in the Early Years London: Paul Chapman.
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