Mediated discourse analysis: Researching children's nonverbal interactions as social practice

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Date
2009-03-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sage
Abstract
Young children often use actions rather than talk as they interact with objects and each other to strategically shape the social, material, and cultural environment. New dynamic research designs and methods are needed to capture the collaborative learning and social positioning achieved through children’s non-verbal interactions. Mediated discourse analysis (MDA), a hybrid ethnographic/sociolinguistic approach rooted in cultural-historical activity and practice theories, analyzes mediated actions with objects. A three-year ethnographic study of children’s literacy play illustrates the five-stage process in MDA research design that resulted in microanalysis of children’s activity with social practices, positioning and spaces that included and excluded peers.
Description
This is a post-print; the final type-set article can be found on the Sage website for the Journal of Early Childhood Research.
Keywords
cultural historical activity theory, mediated discourse analysis, methodology, participation, peer culture, social practice
Citation
Wohlwend, K. E. (2009). Mediated discourse analysis: Researching children's nonverbal interactions as social practice. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 7(3), 228-243.
DOI
10.1177/1476718X09336950
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Article