2 February 2005
Grandparents make a significant -- usually unrecognised -- contribution to their grandchildren's understanding of science and technology, a Monash University study has found.
Faculty of Education senior lecturers Ms Jill Robbins and Dr Beverley Jane said most people, including teachers and grandparents themselves, failed to realise the valuable role grandparents play in helping young children develop everyday understandings of the natural and physical world and environmental science.
Their comments follow an initial study in which a group of grandparents were supplied with disposable cameras and journals so they could record the range of activities they shared with their young charges -- sometimes while babysitting for working parents.
"Our research showed they are doing some wonderful things to encourage and stimulate learning without realising it," Ms Robbins said "Grandparents teach young children about thinking and learning through simple, everyday activities including visits to the beach, using a computer, cooking, gardening and even household chores. In turn, many of the grandparents have reported that they feel that they benefit personally from sharing their knowledge and experience with their grandchildren."
Dr Jane agreed that the importance of grandparents should not be underestimated. "Teachers should be aware of the rich range of knowledge pupils gain from interaction with their extended families, particularly from grandparents," she said.
The researchers reported that some volunteers continued to use the cameras and journals beyond the data collection period of a few weeks because they enjoyed the experience so much, and had so much enthusiasm for the research project.
The initial study, involving 10 sets of grandparents -- most in Victoria -- was designed to document the range of experiences that grandparents share with their grandchildren that contribute towards the development of children's skills and knowledge. The researchers now plan to conduct an expanded study involving a wider range of participants, and interviews with grandparents.
For more information call Ms Jill Robbins on +61 3 9904 4258, or Dr Beverley Jane on +61 3 9904 4324, or Ms Robyn Anns, Media Communications, on +61 3 9905 9317.
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