#hohti

Week 4 Overarching Question

February 1, 2017

~First Article: “Lollipop stories: Listening to children’s voices in the classroom and narrative ethnographical research” By Hohti and Karlsson (2014)

1. What are the basic assumptions that inform the reading?

-“Children participate in society with their own voices.” Previous research provides evidence that most classrooms are managed in a controlling way rather than in ways that support the autonomy of students. Deeper understanding of children’s voices within the context of research and school is needed. 

2. What are the major organizing ideas?

-Children’s competence is questioned when active listening should take place in the sharing of their voices. Sharing your voice can be through more than words, through different spaces of voice. Narrative ethnography draws out the data to carefully examine children’s voices and distinguishes their complexity.

3. What serious questions does the reading raise regarding the fields of child and youth study?

-Narrative story crafting methods give children an outlet to express themselves and their feelings about a given situation or subject, similar to puppets. Can narrative stories be used to elicit voice from older children? How can reflexive listening skills be useful for individuals in adolescence?

4. What serious omissions are left out of the article or reading (if any)? -No omissions. 

5. In what ways does this article reinforce, extend, challenge, or oppose your own views on child and youth study/research/practice? -The article asserts that children’s voices need to be recognized and can be effectively elicited in narrative story-telling activities involving reciprocation with peers, rather than single narratives and interviews. Adults need to take responsibility in ensuring the child can freely express their voice without constraints. 

6. What do you take away from the reading in terms of your own child and youth practice?