Research Team
University of Aberdeen
Rationale: “Children’s lives outside school are rich, complex and very diverse. School learning
has to be rooted in these experiences outside school, whether they be before reaching
school age or in those many hours spent, at all ages, away from school. Teachers
know little or nothing of life as experienced by he children they reach so the
question is ~ how can we explore the nature of this rich learning, value it,
and use it as a springboard for further learning. People involved in children’s
lives will need to listen carefully to each other; every voice is of equal value
and importance. From these voices we can build a positive view of what has
already been achieved and an optimistic view that each child has huge untapped
potential.
The crucial step is that in which each child lives comfortably within their own setting
but also moves confidently beyond their street and town into a wider world. It is at this
stage that reading and writing open up the world.”