Mediating Childhood Trials and Memories

Singh, Asha (2025) Mediating Childhood Trials and Memories. In: Reframing Developmental Psychology: Perspectives from the Global South. Emerald, Northspring, pp. 313-332. ISBN 9781805920816

Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)

Abstract

This chapter focuses on experiences of childhood as children acquire autonomy and begin their journey in the social world that surrounds them. As children grow, they find themselves amidst a range of situations in different social spaces and their experiences may be gainful or confusing. The contention in this paper is to acknowledge children’s agency with assisted appropriate mediation. Some stoking of the imagination by primary adults regarding child interpretations and social spaces inhabited by children may assist children’s negotiations. Compulsory schooling has redefined childhood. An empathetic approach to how children’s conflicts could be resolved would shape how they connect with others to build reassuring memories. With variations in family lives with differences in language, socio-culturalpractices or different skill sets, children encounter (within their own neighbourhoods) manycounter notions to an idea of universal childhood. Conversations with teachers showed a shift in recognition of children’s social competence and agency which built their self confidence and selfworth. Teachers too benefitted in understanding social influences on children. Unresolved dilemmas often disallow active social or academic engagement necessary for processes of holistic development. Learning from sociological perspective as also the ecological model of Bronfenbrenner, it is imperative to understand that an individual biography is embedded in cultural processes and emerges from a larger social context. My work with children in a wide range of social geographies indicates how attempts to understand personal behaviours of children in their wider social context have helped in resolving children’s nonadaptive social presence or inability to engage in classroom processes.

Item Type:	Book Section
Authors:	Singh, Asha
Editors:	Editors Email ORCID Singh, Asha UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
Document Language:	Language English
Subjects:	Philosophy & psychology > Psycholgy Social sciences > Education > Elementary education
Divisions:	Azim Premji University - Bengaluru > School of Education
Full Text Status:	None
URI:	http://publications.azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/id/eprint/6728
Publisher URL:	https://www.emerald.com/

Actions (login required)

View Item