ED360104 PS021754
Title: Dispositions: Definitions and Implications for Early Childhood
Practices. Perspectives from ERIC/EECE: A Monograph Series, No. 4.
Author(s): Katz, Lilian G.
Author Affiliation: ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood
Education, Urbana, IL.(BBB16656)
Pages: 53
Publication Date: April 1993
Sponsoring Agency: Office of Educational Research and Improvement
(ED), Washington, DC. (EDD00036)
Contract No: RI8806201292
Available from: EDRS Price MF01/PC03 Plus Postage.
Availability: ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood
Education, 805 West Pennsylvania Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801 (Catalog
No. 211, $5, plus $1.50 postage and handling).
Language: English
Document Type: ERIC product (071); Opinion papers (120); Reference
materials--Bibliographies (131)
Geographic Source: U.S.; Illinois
Journal Announcement: RIEDEC1993
This monograph
consists of a paper that examines the construct "disposition,"
and explores its relevance to curriculum and teaching practices
in early childhood education, and a selected ERIC bibliography relating
to this subject. The paper is organized in two parts. Part 1 provides
a definition of disposition and definitions of the related terms
"inclination," "cognitive style," and "learning
style." The definition of disposition can be clarified by comparing
the construct of disposition to other personal characteristics,
namely: (1) traits, which are sometimes not distinguished from dispositions;
(2) thought processes; (3) skills, which may exist without the disposition
to use them; (4) attitudes, which are enduring organizations of
beliefs; (5) habits, which are actions that are not the consequence
of reflection; (6) the work inhibition of children who do not do
work required of them despite their capability to do so; and (7)
motives, which are considered to be more general than dispositions.
Part 2 suggests seven reasons why the development of desirable dispositions
should be included among the goals of early childhood education.
The most important of these reasons is that the acquisition of knowledge
and skills alone does not guarantee that children will use the knowledge
and skills. A list of 47 references is provided. The bibliography
that follows consists of 13 documents and 38 journal articles on
dispositions, motivation, and praise that were selected from a search
of the ERIC database. Each item in the bibliography contains bibliographic
information and an abstract of the document or article. (BC)
Descriptors: Attitudes; Cognitive Processes; *Definitions; *Early
Childhood Education; *Educational Practices; Elementary School Students;
*Personality Traits; Praise; Preschool Children; Skill Development;
*Student Motivation
Identifiers: Educational Issues; ERIC Trends Issues Papers; Habits
