Learners and Learning

Associate Prof. George Oduro Commonwealth Education Trust

Foundations of Teaching for Learning

Course 3: Week 1 : The lives of children
Lecture 2: Issues of identity. Who am I?

Identity: a matter of understanding

Reflect briefly on the concept of identity. Would you say the child has an identity that is different from the adult? Write down what you think about these questions

Identity: a matter of understanding

What do you think about these definitions of identity? The characteristics that determine the fact of being who or what a person or thing is (Reader s Digest Dictionary) It tells us about that which distinguishes one person or group of persons from another The fact of being the same person or thing as claimed (Merriam Webster Dictionary)
Simply put , identity is that which makes an individual an individual

The Personal and Social Self

The Personal Self
This involves natural qualities associated with an individual such as: Physical features (tallness, shortness, ways of talking capabilities and abilities)
This is defined through group memberships. Children are de facto members of many social groups (families, the national group, ethnic groups, religious groups) Ones social identity creates and defines the individuals place in society

The Social Self

Determinants of Identity
Peoples understanding of social identities can be based on many types of information, for example:

Nationality might be conceived in terms of place of birth, passport held, place of domicile, psychological properties, values, and beliefs Culture
Adults conceptualisation of social identity may be based on these different characteristics

How children conceptualize social identity

Childrens conceptualisations of social identities are initially limited but undergo substantial elaboration with increasing age Infants, for example, clearly differentiate between individuals on the basis of social categories such as gender, colour and age but are only able to attach particular meanings and attributes to these categories as they grow. In this sense, every woman may be given the identity of a mum by an infant

Determinants of the childs own identity

Geographical Location
Research has found differences among children living in different regions of the same country. David Giles (2003) observed: In Moscow and Smolensk, the Russian identity was more salient to Moscow children. It may be that this is the effect of Moscow being the capital, and that children there are confronted with many icons that represent the Russian state

Determinants of the childs own identity

Giles study also found widespread differences in the national identity development of: Children living in the same location but belonging to different ethnic groups Children belonging to the same ethnic group but attending schools using different languages for their education

Determinants of the childs own identity

Relationship orientation Children who grow up in cultures that emphasize individualism develop a different relational identity compared to children who grow up in cultures that emphasize communal living

Determinant of the Childs own identity

Belief orientation Some identities are based entirely on belief commitments associated with the environment within which the child develops, for example: (Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Animal liberationism)

Determinant of the Childs own identity

Family influence In some societies in Africa, childrens identities are determined by the dominant dispositions of the family

Culture, curriculum and modelling

The School Culture
The school plays a crucial role in shaping the identity of children. This occurs through: The school curriculum: contents of subjects and how they are taught School rules and regulations governing child behaviour Teachers role modelling: most children, particularly those from disadvantaged contexts tend to model their identity on how their teachers behave.

A thought from Muhammad Baqir Qarash (1998)

The teacher is the the first brick in the structure of social development, perfection, in guiding and developing behaviors and mentalities of individuals Teachers are exemplars: Pupils acquire the good traits and sound trends, as well as the virtuous behavior and composure from their teachers whose guidance and conduct penetrate to their hearts. They will deem good only what the teacher deems good and deems evil only what the teacher deems evil

Think pair -share

What do you consider to be the most determining factor (s) that influence childrens identity development in your country? What do you think a teacher should do to help children to develop their identity?

Learners and Learning

Associate Prof. George Oduro Commonwealth Education Trust