Ethnotheories of development and education: A view from different cultures

Cultures differ according to the type of competences adults encourage in infants, the age at which these competences should be acquired and the level of expertise that should be reached (Hess & al., 1980). Consequently, three main criteria are involved in the shaping of the infant’s environment: the age at which some particular behavior are expected, the presume most appropriate time to initiate various activities with the infant, and the beliefs in the possibility of influencing some aspects of development. To discuss this problem we worked on naive conception of development assessed through semi-structured interviews and focussed questionnaires. Data were collected in 3 cultures: French, Bambara (Mali) and Bakongo (Kongo-Brazzaville). The results show that Bambara and Bakongo mothers have clear cut idea of development and relevant educational practices that rely upon traditional and empirical knowledge about the infant. French mothers are greatly influenced by medical and psychological modern knowledge.