Conceptions of Learning by Observing and Pitching in (LOPI) in Ancient and Current communities M° Huauchinango, , Northern , Marie-Noëlle CHAMOUX, honorary researcher at the Centre national Keen attention to events. Guidance from anthropologist de la recherche scientifique (Villejuif, community expectations. Share reference by France) non-verbal and verbal conversations, by moral narratives. [email protected] ex-teacher at the Faculté des sciences de See facets 5 and 6 in Rogoff B. & allii (2015: 4): l'éducation (Geneva, Switzerland) "A Cultural Paradigm- Learning by Observing and Pitching In”, in Advances in Child Development and Behavior, Vol. 49, december 2015, Elsevier Method: Ethnography, History What are the Indian Direct participant observation of a great educational methods for Comparison with practices, known by ancient chronicles, shows a variety of educational situations in constructing shared natural context. strong permanence of educational references about cognitive and • Public and domestic spaces. methods. • Technical and ritual activities. social knowledge and • Daily life and free time. technical know-how? True Knowledge Nahuatl Conceptions of The acknowledged Known (embodied inside individual) Knowledge: two sorts Embodied and psychological Preexistent and common knowledge, phenomenon: consciousness, feeling, accepted wisdom in the community. attitudes, know-how, etc. Learning by Observing and Not transferable knowledge. Pitching In is considered to be Shared or shareable knowledge. It cannot be taught. the best way to gain true It can be taught. It impacts the acquisition of the Known. (embodied) knowledge Educators and parents cannot Aztec Birth Ritual How educators promote enter in child's mind. miniature tools for boy child's good will "Who knows what will spring up or Reinforcing knowledge and good will emerge out of this child?" . by rituals showing tools related to labor. They have no opportunities to modify miniature tools for girl . by observation of daily activities. the child's deep spirit (his/her soul or Ritual for a girl , by gender-based toys. tonalli). But they can . by discourses: • draw his/her attention to "Become a man, become a woman" expectations of the community. . by verbal advice: • indicate the way of learning: "Use your eyes for knowing" observing with keen attention. . by narrative and moral tales: In past and present "This is your labour" Facilitating "co-presence" Valuing care, perseverance Children and toddlers are present and and responsibility can see daily adults' activities and . Playing with toys or real tools is NOT behaviors. considered sufficient to gain "true . Early and frequent "co-presence". knowledge": "No más sabe jugar". . Adults giving a model of attention, . When an adolescent tries to work with caution, calmness, in ongoing work care and perseverance, parents say Keen attention is the most valued activity. that his/her "soul" [consciousness, way for gaining know-how. . Little use of talk. knowledge, responsibility] is coming.

Conclusion: NAHUATL EDUCATION FOCUSES ON KEEN ATTENTION In Nahuatl families, to observe somebody working is considered the best way for gaining embodiment of knowledge. It requires sharp and keen attention: • Keen attention needs no questions, few explanations, but it may be accompanied with non-verbal communication. • It begins a long time before pitching in, through "co-presence", and goes on during it. • It requires calmness for gaining preview, caution and care in doing something. • It needs child's good will. • It constructs someone's insight: "This man is a Bright-Eye". ©Marie-Noëlle Chamoux