The More he Looked inside the More Piglet wasn't there: What Adopting a Sociocultural Perspective can help us see

Abstract

Unlike the Piagetian notion of children actively constructing their own understandings, sociocultural theory emphasises that it is through involvement in activities with others that development occurs. Thus, it is important to consider the contexts in which children are developing; the socioculturally relevant activities within those contexts; the participation with, guidance and support of others, and how this changes through involvement in activities and prepares children for future involvement in similar experiences. This article, drawing on research into young children's understandings of natural phenomena, will illustrate how adopting a sociocultural perspective can present a richer image of what children know, than an approach which relies solely on using ‘scientific’ methods to uncover and analyse understandings.