2.+Early+years+learners+and+funds+of+knowledge

"EARLY YEARS LEARNERS AND FUNDS OF KNOWLEDGE" During this semester, we had an assignment where we had to engage with an early years learner and investigating the child's 'Funds of Knowledge' was part of it. We had to talk with the child and the child's parent and siblings about the child's interests, activities and knowledge by asking questions. Also, we had our practical Professional Experience, which we were able to see the children's funds of knowledge when they are learning within the classroom.

Funds of knowledge is a knowledge or skills derived from the children's family and their cultural background. It premises that the knowledge from their home, helps the children to extend their literacy curriculum as they share activities with their families and communities (Hill, 2012 p.67).
 * __ What is Funds of knowledge? __**

To teach the learners, it is feasible for the teachers to explore the children and their family (Moll et al., 1992). Understanding and having a knowledge of a child's funds of knowledge helps the teachers to create a strong relationship with the child. By this relationship, it provides the teachers with 'a more sophisticated understanding… about the children and their experience.’ (Moll 1992, p. 5). With this extra knowledge about the students, teachers would have a much better understanding of 'where the child is at’ (Hill 2012, p. 67). Also, as the teachers have an understanding about the “tools, strategies and activities families engage in to live their lives” Moll (1992), the teachers would be able to tailor their teaching practices to suit their students to optimise their learning and keep them engage in the classroom. For example, 'Funds of Knowledge Interview' was conducted with both child A and their parents. After the interview, I had noticed that the child A is very creative as he loves to draw and loves animals. If I was child A's teacher, I would make a lesson that child A and other students who has similar interest to engage in class. It is very important for teachers to know about each child's fund of knowledge. This is because, it allows the curriculum to be ‘meaningful’ (Hill, 2012 p.67) for children and helps the teachers to make ‘connections to children’s worlds’ (Hill 2012, p. 67) which in turn enhance our teaching ability. By using these resources (that was gain from the Funds of knowledge Interview) into a classroom, it contributes the children inclusive and makes the curriculum meaningful for them. It was evident in Hill 2012, "Making connections between children and their families is a way to make curriculum meaningful for children (p.67)". This can be helpful to children as well as the teachers, as teachers would understand about their students' strengths and weakness, which could use it as their or the children's advantage in the classroom. As children can make links with their knowledge of what they already know and what they are interested in with what they are learning in the classroom; the children would more likely to be engaged, contribute and construct a greater understanding. 'Funds of knowledge' gives strong relationship between the teachers and students. This is because, the teachers would understand about their children's background being the basis of their knowledge of what they know about the world and what they have learnt from life experiences and students would more likely to be engaged in the classroom and makes the curriculum meaningful them.
 * __ What have we learned? __**
 * Early learners are Primary School children from Prep to Grade 2 with level 1 or 2 for VELS. All these learners has individual 'Funds of knowledge' which were influenced or supported by their family, culture, social and experiences etc.
 * All our members had conducted a 'Funds of knowledge Interview' with an early learner. All of the children who had interviewed, was Grade 1 or 2 and they all knew English. There was similarities and differences between the children, as they have different background and knowledge.
 * Different background showed that the children has different cultures, beliefs and knows different languages. Some children had siblings; older or younger where the child was able to gain extra knowledge by learning, caring and sharing than who had no siblings.
 * Some children was athletic, where they like to do sports and something physical activities, such as playing 'tiggy' and 'octopus'. On the other hand, some children are very creative and they like to draw and dance. However, most of boys likes to read funny books, playing sports and playing on Nintendo DS or computers where most of girls likes to read about fairy book, drawing and dancing. These interests or hobbies can represent the child's personality and their identity. Playing and going out with their friends and family was the common activity during the weekend. For example, going to movies, camping, visiting friends or families and playing sports.
 * Every child was able to access to technology. They had computers, technology games (For eg. Nintendo DS and Play Station) and ipods at home. All the children enjoys watching TV shows, especially shows from ABC channel.
 * It was evident that encouraging the children helps to develop their skills. This is because most of the children loves to read or be read by their family because they praise and encourage them when they read. Most of the children read at night, "Bed time stories" and few children read during day time.
 * __ Why is it important? __**
 * For teachers: **
 * For Students: **
 * __ Conclusion __**

“Making connections between children and their families is a way to make curriculum meaningful for children (Hill 2012, p. 67),” so it is vital to assess what they already know, and what their strengths and weaknesses are so you can use them to your and their advantage in the classroom. If the topic is of interest to the student, they are more likely to be engaged, contribute and construct a greater understanding.
 * COMMENTS: **
 * 1) What have you learnt about early years literacy learning and funds of knowledge through your practical engagements with particular learners?**
 * 1) What have you learnt about early years literacy learning and funds of knowledge through your practical engagements with particular learners?**

Having an understanding and knowledge of a child’s funds of knowledge is vital in creating a relationship with the child and ensuring they maintain an interest in learning. By having an understanding the “tools, strategies and activities families engage in to live their lives” Moll (1992), a teacher is able to cater towards a child’s interests and skills. Using a child’s funds of knowledge ensures that a child makes meaningful links between what they already know and what they are learning in a classroom. Siobhan Judge Creating relationships with the children that we teach provides teachers with ‘a more sophisticated understanding… about the children and their experience.’ (Moll 1992, p. 5) With this extra knowledge about the students in the classroom and their backgrounds, teachers are provided with a much better understanding of ‘where the child is at’ (Hill 2012, p. 67) and how they could learn and interact within the classroom. Not only this, but it provides insight into children’s culture and/or previous experiences which could be used for learning. With this information about our students, it can help us as educators to make ‘connections to children’s worlds’ (Hill 2012, p. 67) which in turn enhances our teaching ability. -Caitlin Mason

‘Moll et al 1992 describes funds of knowledge as the tools strategies and activities families engage in to live their lives.’ (Moll 1992, pp132-141) (Hill 2006, p67) When children build on their knowledge of what they already know and what they are interested in, then they are more likely to be engaged and excited about what they are learning. Basically funds of knowledge refers to a child’s background being the basis of their knowledge of what they know about the world and what they have learnt from life experiences. If teachers learn about a child’s funds of knowledge then it means they can build a relationship with this child and tailor their teaching practices to suit their students to optimise their learning and keep them engaged in the classroom. Emily Banfield

It is important for teachers to find out about each child’s fund of knowledge’ as this allows ‘connections between children and families’ (Hill, 2006, p.67) allowing the curriculum to be ‘meaningful’ (Hill, 2006 p.67) for children. The research conducted with child A on ‘funds of knowledge’ was done through interviews with both child A and their parents. After doing the interview it was drawn to my attention the strong interest in Football that child A has. This is something that as a teacher I would be able to use to make a lesson interesting and engaging for students with similar interests to Child A. Ashley Willis