Giselle Mode Magalhaes

Giselle Mode Magalhaes

UNESP – Univ Estadual Paulista – Araraquara

Research supervisor: Dr Lígia Márcia Martins

The object of our investigation is the qualitative development of the activity of the child during early childhood. Considering the historical nature of human psychic development, our research problem refers to the validity of Elkonin’s characterization of the stages of child development half century after the elaboration of this problem presented in his paper “Toward the problem of stages in the mental development of the child”. Theoretical and methodological fundamentals for this study derive from the dynamics of leading activity as proposed by Leontiev, from where Elkonin formulated his theory on human development periodization. In our dissertation we analyzed the activity of direct emotional contact with adults, conceptualized by Elkonin as the dominant activity that leads the development of babies during their first year of life. At the present moment, in the frame of our PhD thesis, we are investigating the action with objects, conceptualized by Elkonin as the dominant activity that leads the development during early childhood.

In the International ISCAR Summer University I shall be deepening this research. I have been following the scientific production disseminated by the University of Moscow researchers for many years and I had the opportunity to attend its group Seminars at ISCAR Congress 2011. I have no doubt that the issues addressed at the course will contribute to my studies, as well as the proposed exchange will certainly foster the debate and dialogue around historical and cultural psychology in the world. It is of special interest for me the discussion on research methodology, as one of the main challenges in my Master Degree research was the design of procedures for data collection and analysis which expressed the epistemological foundations of cultural-historical theory. It would be a great opportunity to discuss with other students and researchers the methodological choices I have made, especially considering that I am again faced with the same challenge concerning my new object of investigation.

Presentation “Analysis of child development during the early childhood: activity of actions with objects”

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