The role of emotions in building new knowledge and developing young children’s understanding

Abstract

This article considers the role of emotions in the creation of new knowledge and the development of young children’s minds. Drawing on recent literature relating to emotions and emotional development and recent research into rhizomatic thinking, the authors argue that emotions are more important within cognitive development than is currently recognised. They challenge the traditional propensity for prioritising rationality and essentialism within the construction of new knowledge, claiming this merely promotes hegemonic, discursive and binary pedagogies within early education, leaving little room for originality, difference and diversity. The authors explore the possibility that these dominant discourses impoverish children’s thinking and truncate their development. Furthermore, they suggest that emotions are political and strongly influential within issues pertaining to social justice and (in)equitable practice. They consider how the constant controlling, downplaying or disregarding of emotions can effectively impact on who is silenced and privileged within early years education. Having an awareness of the possible interplay between thinking, cognition, forming new knowledge and emotions provides educators with opportunities to challenge and address issues of power and social justice within practice. The article encourages educators to (re)conceptualise children’s thinking and accommodate alternative readings and multiple pathways to sense and meaning drawn from children’s experiences.