Robert Serpell is Professor of Psychology at the University of Zambia. In addition to many scholarly journal articles and chapters, he has published several books including Culture's Influence on Behaviour (1976), Mobilizing Local Resources in Africa for Persons with Learning Difficulties or Mental Handicap (1984) and The Significance of Schooling: Life-Journeys in an African Society (1993). His main research interests are cultural aspects of human development, intelligence, multilingualism, literacy, assessment and intervention services for children with disabilities and their families, and educational curriculum development. He is an elected Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science, a Member of the International Executive Committee of the International Society for the Study of Behavioral Development (ISSBD), and a Member of the Editorial Board for the APA journal, International Perspectives in Psychology.
Preface
1. Early appropriation of literacy in sociocultural context
2. Growing up in Baltimore: the early childhood project
3. The intimate culture of children's homes
4. Processes of literacy enculturation in the home
5. The development of literacy competencies and orientations
6. The agenda and practices of schooling
7. Relations between homes and schools
8. Conclusions and implications for policy and practice
References.
