Growing global citizens : young children's lived experiences with the development of their own social world

As the result of an increasingly technologically 'connected' world, citizens are finding it difficult to effectively exercise civic responsibilities in relation to global issues such as climate change, poverty, and warfare. New understandings of the concept of 'citizenship' are being extended beyond traditional views of country, continent or region to inform the development of 'global citizenship.' Constructions of childhood, early childhood education practices, and approaches to early childhood education all lead to understandings about the 'child as citizen.' Children in classrooms around the world are engaged in learning which focuses on civic responsibility, including many of the aforementioned characteristics of a global citizen, from a very young age. However, the notion of young children being global citizens is new and somewhat intriguing; given childhood experiences often focus on the near environment of home, family and a limited range of settings in which they interact. This paper presents findings from an Australian study undertaken in 2012 using Giorgi's approach to seek a range of children's viewpoints by capturing lived experiences. Data from the study reveal a number of essential themes related to the phenomenon of young children's lived experiences as global citizens. Five of the essential themes reflecting the general descriptions of the phenomenon under investigation are explored. These are: children's social experiences are important and memorable; children are cognisant of differences and similarities between people living in various countries around the world; children make thoughtful decisions about friendship based on social behaviour; children are experienced technological users who are aware of safety rules; and children act as informed consumers who make judgments about sharing, spending or saving resources, such as energy. In addition to the presentation of findings from the study, this paper considers how global citizenship in the early years is provided. Examples from the study participants are used to articulate different approaches to global citizenry in the Age of Technology for young children. The paper concludes with a summary and musings on 'effective membership' for consideration. [Author abstract, ed]