More Children's Spirituality: Intergenerational Learning pt. 3

How do children learn in an intergenerational group? Ms. Allen discusses Situative/Sociocultural Learning Theory. In this context, children learn through experience. Such learning requires a child to "socially negotiate [the meaning of concepts] in authentic, complex learning environments." I think our tendancy is to simplify learning and learning environments for children.

Citing different learning theorists, she says the mental tools that people use in order to learn are sociocultural symbols and gestures like art, writing, language. "...[C]ulture is mediated to the individual through these mental tools, particularly language . . . Just as persons use physical tools to expand their physical capabilities, persons use language and other mental tools to expand their mental capacities." She uses Deut. 6:6-9 as scripture revealing a similar understanding. (CS p. 271) God tells parents, this is the way to teach these things to your children. "God says talk, write, and tie symbols" (CS p. 272) Remember all earlier posts from CS about language?

Citing other authorities, Allen says that we grow and develop as we use these tools with other human beings. (CS p. 272) Notice these are social tools, tools for communication.

She said that if you look at (A) where a person actually is, (B) where that person could be and (C) what it takes to carry a person from A to B, (Vygotsky) most learning actually takes place during phase (C). This is "that phase in development in which the child has only partially mastered a task, but can participate in its execution with the assistance and supervision of an adult or more capable peer... a dynamic region of sensitivity in learning the skills of culture, in which children develop through participation in problem solving with more experienced members of the culture. [Wersch & Rogoff (1984) p. 1]" (CS p. 22) Encouraging children to serve with those younger and older, even if they don't quite "get it" is a valuable learning experience.

These social communities "define the types of learning that take place, and content alone does not determine what is learned." (CS p. 273) How interesting!

"Learning is a social matter . . . In intergenerational Christian education the goal is to grow persons of faith who identify with and participate fully in Christian community. When children experience intergenerational Christian education they learn from each other, younger children, older children, teen and adults the essence of Christian community. All benefit from each other..." (CS p. 273) They are not just learning about being God's people (CS p. 271), they are learning how to actually be and do. Notice you're growing more than individual identity here.

So, we learn to be the people of God by being the people of God with those who are both older and younger than we are. Is that spiritual formation? What's your experience?

The rest of the chapter describes her research. Interesting findings. I'll let you read that for yourself.