Module 2-1 -98Summary of Research Study from Childrens' Interests3
Using "The Interest Finder" on page 117 researchers studied the interests of over 3,000 children in grades 1-12. The following summarizes some of the main findings and conclusions of this study.
1. Children at all age levels are much preoccupied with
people and personal relations. Many children mentioned
people when describing their wishes, likes, and interests,
even though they were questioned in terms of WHAT they
liked or wished rather than in terms of WHOM.
2. There is a strong element of self-interest and selfreliance in childrens' ideas about life and the world
and the world at large that this should be taken into
account in what is taught.
3. The findings also emphasize the great importance children
attach to gifts.
4. There is much variation between interests of children
in different schools and in different classes, notably
in connection with the arts and crafts.
5. Many lines of evidence in this study are in keeping with
findings that have emerged from earlier studies which
indicate that childrens' interests are to a large degree
learned. What a child likes to do is influenced by
what he has had an opportunity to learn to like to do, provided, of course, that he not only has the opportunity but also has the ability to make use of it.
6. The findings show an impressive increase with age in
interest in various forms of self-improvement, vocational fitness or placement, educational opportunity and understanding of self and others.
3
Adapted from Arthur T. Jersild and Ruth J. Tasch, Childrens' Interests and What They Suggest for Education (New York: Bureau of Publications, Teachers College, Columbia University, 1949).