Community Based Participatory Research: Exploring the Value of Indigenous Knowledge for Early Childhood Development

Abstract

This paper presents the preliminary findings on a current engaged research that aims to develop through Community Based Participatory Research a framework for Integral Education underpinned by indigenous knowledge in Early Childhood Development in South Africa. Indigenous Knowledge is a growing field of inquiry globally and at all levels, particularly for those interested in education innovation. In Early Childhood Development, the inclusion of local resources and positive cultural values and practices has the potential to contribute to significant goals, such as psychosocial and cognitive development towards building strong foundations for lifelong learning. The first stage of a larger study on Integral Education focuses on building values for Early Childhood Development through Indigenous Knowledge. This part of the exploratory phase – the study is still in progress - establishes a significant trend in favor of the inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge in the Early Childhood Development programme.