Children's Perspectives on Values and Rules in Australian Early Education. Issue 2 (June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Johansson, Eva; Cobb-Moore, Charlotte; Lunn-Brownlee, Joanne; Walker, Sue; Boulton-Lewis, Gillian; Ailwood, Jo
• Is Part Of: Australasian journal of early childhood. Volume 39:Issue 2(2014)
• Page Start: 12
• Page End: 20
• Publication Date: 2014-06
• Subjects: Early childhood education -- Periodicals; Child care services -- Periodicals; Early childhood education -- Australasia -- Periodicals; Child care services -- Australasia -- Periodicals; Child development -- Periodicals; Child care services; Child development; Early childhood education; Australasia; Periodicals; 372.21
• DOI: 10.1177/183693911403900203
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1836-9391

Abstract

IN RECENT YEARS, ISSUES relating to moral and conventional values have been emphasized in educational policies. This study examines young children's (100 children aged 4–8 years) own understandings of values and rules for how to treat others and participate in school. Eleven classrooms, within seven different elementary schools in Queensland, were visited. Children were interviewed regarding their views about moral and conventional issues, rules and participation in everyday school life. According to the children, 'doing the right thing' in school involved both a concern for others' wellbeing and for the social order in school, including conventions, rules and behaviour connected with discipline. The children's responsibility seemed, however, to be to adapt to the (school) system, rather than being an active participant in constructing the system.