Abstract:
Information on indigenous patterns of children's early development in scientific and mathematical knowledge can bring positive contributions to increasing their learning efficiency and make the transition from home to school much easier. Prior to learning in school Cambodian children have already developed much of the knowledge and understanding that will influence most of their academic learning. Through an ethnographic method of inquiry the study explores how Cambodian children develop their scientific and mathematical knowledge in naturalistic situations at home and in the community.
The sample comprises three pairs of one girl and one boy, with ages ranging from 5 to 8 years drawn from the 3 predominant socio-economic groupings in the country: a rural farming/fishing community, an urban migrant (ex-countryside dwellers) poor community, and an urban middle class community.
The study raises many questions including: In what ways can this self-generated understanding bring any positive changes to school curriculum? This progress report will discuss some results from the study and offer possible strategies of dealing with high incidence of school wastage in the country. Currently there is very little research available which sheds light on these issues and the research in progress will provide some data on this important area.
The sample comprises three pairs of one girl and one boy, with ages ranging from 5 to 8 years drawn from the 3 predominant socio-economic groupings in the country: a rural farming/fishing community, an urban migrant (ex-countryside dwellers) poor community, and an urban middle class community.
The study raises many questions including: In what ways can this self-generated understanding bring any positive changes to school curriculum? This progress report will discuss some results from the study and offer possible strategies of dealing with high incidence of school wastage in the country. Currently there is very little research available which sheds light on these issues and the research in progress will provide some data on this important area.