The embodied narrative nature of learning: nurture in school

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)
87 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Learning is participatory and embodied. It requires active participation from both teacher and learner to come together to co-create shared projects of discovery that allow meaning to unfold and develop between them. This paper advances theory on the intersubjective and embodied nature of cognition and meaning-making as constituted by co-created narrative units. Learning within embodied narrative episodes incorporate affective, energetic, and intentional components to produce schemas of engagement that structure knowledge and become units held in memory. We examine two cases of non-verbal narrative patterns of engagement between teacher and child within Nurture Group practice, a special pedagogy that attunes to the affects and interests of children. Analysis of these cases reveal patterns that established shared rhythm, affect, and body movement between teacher and child, which, on completion, generated shared joy and learning. Thus, we identify an embodied, co-created narrative structure of embodied cognition essential for learning and participatory meaning-making.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)117-131
Number of pages15
JournalMind, Brain, and Education
Volume10
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 27 Jun 2016

Keywords

  • embodied cognition
  • narrative
  • meaning-making
  • social emotional behavioural difficulties
  • nurture group
  • child development
  • intersubjectivity

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The embodied narrative nature of learning: nurture in school'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this