Julia Kristeva, a thinker from Bulgaria and France, explored how people understand themselves and others, especially through language, culture, and emotions.
Julia Kristeva is a Bulgarian-French philosopher, literary critic, psychoanalyst, and feminist theorist, born on June 24, 1941, in Sliven, Bulgaria. She is renowned for her interdisciplinary approach, which integrates elements from linguistics, literary theory, psychoanalysis, and feminist theory. As early childhood professionals, we can learn a thing or two from this prominent philosopher.
One big idea she had was called “abjection.” It’s about how we react when we come across things that challenge our sense of who we are. These things could be gross or scary, like bodily fluids or decay. Abjection is like a feeling of discomfort or disgust we get when faced with these things. Kristeva explored this concept in her book “Powers of Horror: An Essay on Abjection” (1980). This concept examines how individuals react to experiences that threaten their sense of identity, such as encounters with bodily fluids, decay, or the maternal body. Abjection represents the space where the boundaries between the self and the other become blurred, leading to feelings of horror, disgust, and fascination. By recognising the role of abjection in shaping perceptions of identity and difference, early childhood educators can foster inclusive practices that value and celebrate diversity. Understanding how abjection operates can help educators create environments that validate children’s experiences and promote empathy and understanding among peers. It is a very significant concept for inclusion.
In the early years of life, Kristeva’s ideas can help us understand children’s emotions. They can also guide us in making classrooms where every child feels included and valued. Kristeva also talked about “concepts subjects-in-process.” This means that people are always changing and growing based on their experiences. This is certainly applicable to our understanding of children, childhood and even play.
She also talked about “the foreigner,” a person who is different from us, but this can also be described as a lens for reflection. By learning from people who are different, we can learn more about ourselves and our world.
Kristeva’s ideas remind us to be open-minded, to understand our emotions, to embrace diversity, and to create spaces where children feel like they belong. I think it promotes reflective teaching as well. What do you think?
