ERIC Number: EJ919131
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Apr
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1082-3301
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Available Date: N/A
Naming Block Structures: A Multimodal Approach
Cohen, Lynn; Uhry, Joanna
Early Childhood Education Journal, v39 n1 p79-87 Apr 2011
This study describes symbolic representation in block play in a culturally diverse suburban preschool classroom. Block play is "multimodal" and can allow children to experiment with materials to represent the world in many forms of literacy. Combined qualitative and quantitative data from seventy-seven block structures were collected and analyzed. The observed frequency of symbolism used for three levels of symbolism (1) pre-symbolism, (2) first level symbolism, and (3) second level symbolism was investigated. Results indicated significant differences for first level symbolism or real-world objects. Students reported making homes for Webkinz, indicating an ability to encode "multimodally" the Webkinz computer game played at home to their school block play. The implications from these findings suggest educators should consider both a sociocultural perspective on playing and children's out of-school experiences on learning. A research agenda that includes multimodality as performance is critical to early childhood education.
Descriptors: Sociocultural Patterns, Play, Early Childhood Education, Literary Styles, Preschool Education, Student Diversity, Cognitive Processes, Computer Uses in Education, Student Experience, Learning
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
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