Sisters and Brothers as Language and Literacy Teachers: Synergy between Siblings Playing and Working Together

Gregory, Eve E.. 2001. Sisters and Brothers as Language and Literacy Teachers: Synergy between Siblings Playing and Working Together. Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, 1(3), pp. 301-322. ISSN 14687984 [Article]

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Abstract or Description

Over the past three decades numerous studies from the English-speaking world have pointed to the advantages for young children of family involvement in their literacy development. However, their emphasis has always been firmly and almost exclusively upon parents working with children in specific ways and often using school-sanctioned materials. This article investigates the role played by young siblings close in age in each others’ literacy development and argues for a unique reciprocity in learning between older and younger child. Thus it steps outside hitherto recognized paradigms of ‘scaffolding’ and ‘collaborative learning’. This reciprocity of learning I refer to as a synergy whereby siblings act as adjuvants, stimulating and fostering each others’ development. Using examples from Bangladeshi and Anglo children living in East London, the article traces ways in which synergy takes place between dyads through play activities in home and community contexts.

Item Type:

Article

Identification Number (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1177/14687984010013004

Departments, Centres and Research Units:

Educational Studies

Dates:

DateEvent
December 2001Published

Item ID:

1545

Date Deposited:

12 Mar 2009 15:41

Last Modified:

27 Jun 2017 09:13

Peer Reviewed:

Yes, this version has been peer-reviewed.

URI:

https://research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/1545

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