Review of Children’s Identity Construction via Narratives
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Abstract
Understanding oneself is a fundamental human concern that starts early and continues throughout life. Identity construction is also a life-long process, but early childhood is the critical period for laying the foundation. Children’s identity construction proceeds through diverse perspectives which do not necessarily follow developmental steps. These perspectives include how children view themselves in relation to others through narratives, and how they embody themselves in the peer interactions of peer group and school. Self-identity is changed and transformed through interactions with environment and diverse experiences. The various ways children construct their identities reveal their efforts to “become.” Understanding who we are in early childhood opens the door to acknowledging ourselves as significant human beings.
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