Early+Years+Learner+and+Funds+of+Knowledge

EARLY YEARS LEARNERS AND FUNDS OF KNOWLEDGE

Moll et al. (2001, p. 132) defines funds of knowledge as ‘Historically accumulated and culturally developed bodies of knowledge and skills essential for family and well-being’ **. //Funds of knowledge are information and ideas that children develop outside of school or prior to starting school// ** ; it’s not directly taught to them ‘but comes from shared activities with families and communities’ (Hill, 2012 p. 67). For example funds of knowledge can be developed through family culture, events, celebrations or even hearing about the jobs of other family members.

Five different early years learners have been observed and surveyed to investigate their Funds of Knowledge. The results shown in the table below give a snapshot into each child’s background and interests.


 * Table: Investigating Funds of Knowledge **

- interested in **motor bikes** as his father rides them - comes from an **Italian background** - likes movies such as **Fast and the Furious** and **Harry Potter** || - likes reading **action books** - interested in **animals** - goes **fishing** with dad || - enjoys **cooking** - learns **Spanish**, though of Australian Background - likes playing **dress ups** and with **dolls** || - interested in **cars** and **racing** (dad owns a mechanic shop) - enjoys **board games** and **computer games** || - likes **Pokémon** - enjoys playing **Nintendo** || As you can see every child grows up differently, and learns from different experiences before they start school, therefore carrying with them a wide range of knowledge that varies from child to child. For example child four is interested in cars and racing due to the fact that their father own a mechanic shop, whereas child one is interested in motor bikes as his father owns one. This shows that family activity and interests influence what children learn about. This is then transferred into what they are interested in reading and writing about.
 * ** Child ** ||  ** Background and Interests **  ||
 * 1 || - Enjoys playing **sport** such as basketball, football and soccer
 * 2 || - enjoys going to the **park** and **beach**
 * 3 || - apart of the **scouts**
 * 4 || - loves spending time with extended **family**
 * 5 || - enjoys **swimming**, **bike riding, cricket, football**



Teaching should be able to meet the needs of all children in the class. For that reason teachers must try to tap into their students Funds of Knowledge and find a way to include this in their lessons to enhance each child’s learning experience.

Sandra Guccione