The image of the child from the perspective of Plains Cree elders and Plains Cree early childhood teachers.

摘要

This study articulates Plains Cree Elders' and Plains Cree early childhood teachers' image of the child. The research was carried out in the spirit of the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education---an approach dependent on establishing a locally created image of the child within a cultural context. The data was collected using qualitative and Indigenous research methodologies. According to the Plains Cree Elder participants, learning about the Plains Cree image of the child requires a spiritual and holistic understanding of the child from the moment of conception. The teacher participants hold similar beliefs to the Elders, yet often vacillate between Plains Cree and Westernized images of childhood. For many of the participants, the effects of residential school have been noted as an obstacle, as they strive to draw on the strengths of their traditional Plains Cree teachings when relating to children.