Engaging City Hall: Children as Citizens |
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Authors: | Mara Krechevsky Ben Mardell Angela N Romans |
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Institution: | 1. Project Zero, Harvard Graduate School of Education , Cambridge , Massachusetts , USA mara_krechevsky@harvard.edu;3. Lesley University , Cambridge , Massachusetts , USA;4. Senior Advisor on Education, Office of Mayor Angel Taveras , City of Providence , Rhode Island , USA |
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Abstract: | In this article, the authors suggest that current notions of advocacy in early childhood education should be expanded to include a view of young children as citizens. The authors ground their discussion in a how-to book project in Providence, Rhode Island, consider different concepts of children and citizenship, share commentary from City Hall and propose four key features of their perspective: (a) highlighting the civic nature of schools as central to the teaching and learning process; (b) focusing on young children's distinctive perspectives and competencies, not just their needs; (c) providing professional development around shared projects that promote literacy and higher order thinking skills; and (d) documenting children's learning in order to challenge assumptions about their capabilities and put forth an alternative image of teaching and learning. |
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