Development of Children's Knowledge: The Sky, the Earth and the Sun in Children's Explanations

Abstract

Our knowledge about the world is mediated by sense organs, material and mental mediators, which convey information that may appear conflicting. This is why both children and adults experience difficulties in integrating and conceptualising the information. The article examines the development of children's knowledge from initial beliefs and knowledge to synthetic and scientific knowledge. Empirical studies investigating the knowledge of Esto-nian children about planet Earth, the possibility of living on earth and rea-sons for seasonal changes are described. Examples from interviews with children illustrate the complexity of constructing and conceptualising knowl-edge.