Introduction to Childhood Studies (Eliason)

The book supports a speaking-intensive course that introduces you to key concepts in the study of childhood from multidisciplinary perspectives. Your reading and listening will allow you to examine the historical and socio-cultural constructions of “the child” and childhood, exploring topics such as child development, cultural notions of adolescence, children as social agents, children’s rights, and challenges facing children in both local and global contexts.

Why study Childhood?

Would you agree that childhood experiences have a lifelong impact? I believe that childhood experiences build the foundation for learning and life. I studied child development as an undergraduate student. In my program, I learned how development occurs within the context of family, community, culture, and relationships as well the complex interaction among developmental domains of the child and the role of environmental factors. I was able to use my understanding as a preschool teacher. I was able to identify, interpret, and respond to a child’s individual differences, needs, challenges, and capacities to support families in giving children a positive start in life. As you progress through this course, think about how your increased understanding of children will prepare you for possibility working with children and families.

How do you study childhood?

Understanding the concept of childhood is complex and must consider many influences and perspectives. Thus, an interdisciplinary approach is most beneficial. What is an interdisciplinary approach? First, we need to define a discipline which is a branch of knowledge; an area of study. An academic discipline or field of study is a branch of knowledge that is taught and researched as part of higher education. Figure lists disciplines involved in the study of childhood.

What disciplines study children?

Different disciplines have developed unique ways of approaching the study of children, using different research methods driven by research questions. For some disciplines (such as sociology and cultural studies) childhood as a concept is specifically addressed looking at childhood as a social construction and a variable of social analysis. They would study children’s relationships and cultures; and children as active social agents. A research method used by sociologists is ethnography. In contrast, other disciplines, such as psychology and education, the focus of research is on the child or children. I engage in interdisciplinary research to study childhood with a registered architect. To see our work you can read the brief article: Seven Home Design Elements To Help Children Learn Language

I compiled a chart to illustrate how disciplines can contribute to the understanding of childhood. Explore at the journals listed below, found from a comprehensive list at Rutgers You can use journals that you are familiar with from previous courses. You will have to go to your college or university library to access the full text articles.