1 Examining “Self” in Five- Year-Olds' Personal Stories: A Narrative Analysis of Coherence Taryn Bellgard Hanover College

2 Narrative Theory People make sense of the world through stories (Mischler, 1986) People make sense of the world through stories (Mischler, 1986) The “self” is viewed as socially constructed and formed through shared language (DeSocio, 2005) The “self” is viewed as socially constructed and formed through shared language (DeSocio, 2005) Self is seen as “an unfolding reflective awareness of being-in-the-world” (Ochs & Capps, 1996) Self is seen as “an unfolding reflective awareness of being-in-the-world” (Ochs & Capps, 1996)

3 Defining Narrative Coherence A narrative is clearly constructed and organized (Fiese & Sameroff, 1999) A narrative is clearly constructed and organized (Fiese & Sameroff, 1999) A narrative has all of the necessary information for the listener (Abbema & Bauer, 2005) A narrative has all of the necessary information for the listener (Abbema & Bauer, 2005)

4 Analyzing Narrative Coherence Ideal Story Structure Ideal Story Structure Has a formal beginning and ending Has a formal beginning and ending Includes a goal-directed plot with a rising action and falling action (Hudson, Gebelt, Haviland, Bentivegna, 1992) Includes a goal-directed plot with a rising action and falling action (Hudson, Gebelt, Haviland, Bentivegna, 1992) Basic Story Components Basic Story Components who, what, where, when, how, and why (Abbema & Bauer, 2005) who, what, where, when, how, and why (Abbema & Bauer, 2005)

5 Narratives with Children Narrative analysis of 8-year-olds’ self-talk Narrative analysis of 8-year-olds’ self-talk Drew self-portrait while describing oneself to a familiar adult (Uszynska-Jarmoc, 2004) Drew self-portrait while describing oneself to a familiar adult (Uszynska-Jarmoc, 2004) Case study of 8-year-old Case study of 8-year-old Therapy included a storybook about the child’s life to help him adjust to foster care (DeSocio, 2005) Therapy included a storybook about the child’s life to help him adjust to foster care (DeSocio, 2005)

6 Why 5-year-old children? By the age of five, children typically have… Self-awareness as a distinct individual (DeSocio, 2005) Self-awareness as a distinct individual (DeSocio, 2005) A Theory of Mind (Kleinknecht & Beike, 2004) A Theory of Mind (Kleinknecht & Beike, 2004) Control of language (DeSocio, 2005) Control of language (DeSocio, 2005) Narrative skill (Kleinknecht & Beike, 2004) Narrative skill (Kleinknecht & Beike, 2004) Autobiographical memory (DeSocio, 2005; Nelson, 1992) Autobiographical memory (DeSocio, 2005; Nelson, 1992)

7 Research Question: How do 5-year-old children create coherent narratives about the self?

8 Participants Seven 5-year-olds (3 female, 4 male) Seven 5-year-olds (3 female, 4 male) All currently or previously enrolled in a single rural mid-western preschool All currently or previously enrolled in a single rural mid-western preschool Informed consent and basic background obtained from parents Informed consent and basic background obtained from parents

9 Data Collection: Storybook Session Lasted 40 minutes to 1 hour Lasted 40 minutes to 1 hour Audio recorded and later transcribed Audio recorded and later transcribed Each child was asked to create a storybook with the researcher using five story prompts: Each child was asked to create a storybook with the researcher using five story prompts: Family Family Event Event Relationship Relationship Emotion Emotion Future Future

10 Data Analysis: Story Coherence A story consisted of any stretch of talk made by the child from the time the story topic was stated until the next topic was stated A story consisted of any stretch of talk made by the child from the time the story topic was stated until the next topic was stated Coded each story for components of who, what, where, when, how, and why? Coded each story for components of who, what, where, when, how, and why? Totaled components of each question Totaled components of each question

11 Beth’s Event Story T: do you want to tell a story about the day you lost your tooth? B: drawing me / I’m just drawing my school B: I bumped a tooth B: and then when I woke up one day the tooth fairy got me a [toy] horse and money B: I was very surprised B: my mom and dad were very happy that I lost my tooth B: I was happy too

12 Narrative Analysis

13 Beth’s Event Story T: do you want to tell a story about the day you lost your tooth? B: drawing me / I’m just drawing my school B: I bumped a tooth B: and then when I woke up one day the tooth fairy got me a [toy] horse and money B: I was very surprised B: my mom and dad were very happy that I lost my tooth B: I was happy too

14 From Coherence to “Self” Fully coherent stories offer perspective Fully coherent stories offer perspective The child’s point of view The child’s point of view “Awareness of being-in-the-world” (Ochs & Capps, 1996) “Awareness of being-in-the-world” (Ochs & Capps, 1996) Fully coherent stories demonstrate how young children can portray their understanding of experiences through personal narratives Fully coherent stories demonstrate how young children can portray their understanding of experiences through personal narratives