Challenging Dominant Discourses across Geographies in Early Childhood

Abstract

Meyers & Kroeger situate two young writers in current ideologies of childhood and literacy and argue for creating dialogic classroom spaces in which children can be recognized by themselves, other children, and teachers as literate. Duckles & Larson build on the authors' attention to the potential constraints of dominant discourses and highlight the role of researchers to uncover and document spaces in which they are being challenged. From a study of the everyday science practices of 17 families with young children, they present evidence of parents and children challenging dominant cultural autonomous models of science that dichotomize school and everyday science, that situate pathways to success only in schools, and situate young children (and many adults) as peripheral and passive participants. The contested spaces of these homes can provide insights into how to support hybrid practices and create pathways to successful engagement with science across multiple geographies and across the lifespan. The authors build on Meyers & Kroeger's call for locating and creating spaces where dominant developmental beliefs and traditional roles are disrupted and for transforming discourses to include ideological views of science, of literacy, and of young children.