Early childhood education, children's peer cultures, and the future of childhood

Abstract

SUMMARY This paper presents my theoretical perspective of interpretive reproduction which focuses on the importance of children's production of and participation in their own peer cultures for their evolving membership in society. I describe the main themes of communal sharing and control in children's peer culture and present examples of peer routines and activities which demonstrate these themes. I discuss the importance of children's peer culture for early childhood education policy, programs, and curricula. Finally, I discuss the importance of social and economic investments in young children and families in modern societies, most especially in child care and early education. Here I stress how changing demographic patterns in modern societies (most especially the increase of the proportion of elderly as compared to the very young) have crucial implications for the future of children and childhood.