Development of earth and gravity concepts among Nepali children

Abstract

Certain concepts are so basic to our understanding of physical phenomena that they deserve special attention in the science curriculum. One of these is the concept of Earth. Nussbaum and Novak (1976) and Nussbaum (1979) have provided a description of children’s notions about the Earth, progressing from the notion of a flat surface covered over with a dome that forms the inside of a sphere to a stable notion that includes three aspects of the Earth concept: (1) Earth as a spherical planet, (2) surrounded by space, and (3) with things falling toward its center (Nussbaum & Novak, 1976, p. 546). We have recently completed a study of cognitive and conceptual development of children of ages 8, 10, and 12 from two regions of Nepal (Mali, 1979). As one part of the study we used the methods and questions described by Nussbaum and Novak to examine the notions that Nepali children hold about the Earth. We wished to know whether the notions found among American children would also be found among children of another culture and, also, whether the development of the concept of Earth is related to other selected variables.