Pub Date : 2023-11-10DOI: 10.1177/18369391231212685
Sarah Probine, Jo Perry, Joanne Marie Alderson, Yo Heta-Lensen, Rachael Burke, Fiona Louise McAlevey
Rapid technology advancements and global responses to sustainability have had a transformational impact on education in the 21st century. As early childhood teachers in Aotearoa/New Zealand respond these challenges, many have recognised the potential inquiry-based project learning (IBPL) has to transform learning for children through empowering them to discover answers through collaboration, representation, reflection and dialogue. This paper explores a current research project in Aotearoa/New Zealand examining how early childhood teachers have interpreted global and local discourses on IBPL and how this impacts children’s learning. The research utilised narrative inquiry to examine the experiences of six early childhood communities using this approach. The study found that IBPL contributes to environments of wellbeing and sustained focus for both children and teachers when relationships and time are prioritised and inquiries are focused on place, and that this approach can create pathways for early childhood teachers to enact rich bi-cultural practice.
{"title":"Inquiry-based project learning as an approach to foster wellbeing, sustained focus, and bi-cultural practice in early childhood education","authors":"Sarah Probine, Jo Perry, Joanne Marie Alderson, Yo Heta-Lensen, Rachael Burke, Fiona Louise McAlevey","doi":"10.1177/18369391231212685","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/18369391231212685","url":null,"abstract":"Rapid technology advancements and global responses to sustainability have had a transformational impact on education in the 21st century. As early childhood teachers in Aotearoa/New Zealand respond these challenges, many have recognised the potential inquiry-based project learning (IBPL) has to transform learning for children through empowering them to discover answers through collaboration, representation, reflection and dialogue. This paper explores a current research project in Aotearoa/New Zealand examining how early childhood teachers have interpreted global and local discourses on IBPL and how this impacts children’s learning. The research utilised narrative inquiry to examine the experiences of six early childhood communities using this approach. The study found that IBPL contributes to environments of wellbeing and sustained focus for both children and teachers when relationships and time are prioritised and inquiries are focused on place, and that this approach can create pathways for early childhood teachers to enact rich bi-cultural practice.","PeriodicalId":80604,"journal":{"name":"Australian journal of early childhood","volume":"76 7","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135092848","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-09-16DOI: 10.1177/18369391231202833
Justine O’Hara-Gregan
Internationally, there are growing concerns about the work-related well-being of early childhood teachers. There is currently limited guidance around specific practices teachers can use to support their well-being when challenges arise while teaching. Mindful self-compassion practice, which has elements of mindfulness, common humanity, and self-kindness, has been found to have benefits for supporting holistic well-being both ‘in the moment’ and in the long term. This paper reports on a research project in Aotearoa New Zealand which used a qualitative methodology of mindful inquiry to explore 12 teachers’ experiences of the practice of mindful self-compassion. Findings identified that being mindfully self-compassionate supported teachers’ self-awareness; enabled recognition of their common humanity; and supported the teachers to respond to challenging moments with self-kindness, which contributed to their well-being. These findings have implications for initial teacher education, those who work in the early childhood sector, and early childhood leaders and policy makers.
{"title":"Supporting early childhood teacher well-being through the practice of mindful self-compassion","authors":"Justine O’Hara-Gregan","doi":"10.1177/18369391231202833","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/18369391231202833","url":null,"abstract":"Internationally, there are growing concerns about the work-related well-being of early childhood teachers. There is currently limited guidance around specific practices teachers can use to support their well-being when challenges arise while teaching. Mindful self-compassion practice, which has elements of mindfulness, common humanity, and self-kindness, has been found to have benefits for supporting holistic well-being both ‘in the moment’ and in the long term. This paper reports on a research project in Aotearoa New Zealand which used a qualitative methodology of mindful inquiry to explore 12 teachers’ experiences of the practice of mindful self-compassion. Findings identified that being mindfully self-compassionate supported teachers’ self-awareness; enabled recognition of their common humanity; and supported the teachers to respond to challenging moments with self-kindness, which contributed to their well-being. These findings have implications for initial teacher education, those who work in the early childhood sector, and early childhood leaders and policy makers.","PeriodicalId":80604,"journal":{"name":"Australian journal of early childhood","volume":"111 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135305837","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-09-16DOI: 10.1177/18369391231202838
Kirsi-Marja Heikkinen, Raisa Ahtiainen, Arto Kallioniemi, Elina Fonsén
Leadership in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) is changing globally. We investigated ECEC leadership and leaders’ interpretations of power and its realization between leaders and followers, a little researched topic in the field. Our theoretical framework consists of ECEC contextual knowledge and prior research attached with Michel Foucault’s and Mary Parker Follet’s perceptions of power as positive, relational and discursive microphenomenon. Our essay data ( N = 46) was written by ECEC center leaders before participating in educational leaders in-service training. The method of analysis was Greimas’ actantial analysis (1979), which enabled us to build two actantial models of leaders’ perspectives and relation to power. Findings indicate that power is a leader-centered, unstructured and hiding concept needing conscious reframing and integration of positional and non-positional leader roles in the community.
{"title":"“I am the pilot, but i need a committed crew”: Researching early childhood education and care leadership by using the actantial model of power","authors":"Kirsi-Marja Heikkinen, Raisa Ahtiainen, Arto Kallioniemi, Elina Fonsén","doi":"10.1177/18369391231202838","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/18369391231202838","url":null,"abstract":"Leadership in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) is changing globally. We investigated ECEC leadership and leaders’ interpretations of power and its realization between leaders and followers, a little researched topic in the field. Our theoretical framework consists of ECEC contextual knowledge and prior research attached with Michel Foucault’s and Mary Parker Follet’s perceptions of power as positive, relational and discursive microphenomenon. Our essay data ( N = 46) was written by ECEC center leaders before participating in educational leaders in-service training. The method of analysis was Greimas’ actantial analysis (1979), which enabled us to build two actantial models of leaders’ perspectives and relation to power. Findings indicate that power is a leader-centered, unstructured and hiding concept needing conscious reframing and integration of positional and non-positional leader roles in the community.","PeriodicalId":80604,"journal":{"name":"Australian journal of early childhood","volume":"24 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135307123","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-08-16DOI: 10.1177/18369391231194374
Kate E. Williams, Magdalena Janus, Linda J. Harrison, Sandie Wong, Sheena Elwick, Laura McFarland
Child observation is a critical component of quality pedagogy in early childhood education and care (ECEC). The ORICL (Observe, Reflect, Improve Children’s Learning) tool was co-designed by ECEC researchers, policymakers, leaders, and practitioners to support this work. Educators rate the experiences of individual children, and responses of educators and peers on 118 items across five domains. In this study of the utility of ORICL, the tool was used by 21 educators across 12 ECEC services for a total of 66 children. Descriptive statistical analyses were used to determine how educators used the full range of the ORICL rating scale, and the psychometric properties of the tool were explored. Findings suggest that the ORICL items can be readily observed and rated by educators for children aged under 3 years, the rating scale is appropriate, and there is early evidence to support the domain structure of the tool.
{"title":"Feasibility and initial psychometric properties of the observe, reflect, improve children’s learning tool (ORICL) for early childhood services: A tool for building capacity in infant and toddler educators","authors":"Kate E. Williams, Magdalena Janus, Linda J. Harrison, Sandie Wong, Sheena Elwick, Laura McFarland","doi":"10.1177/18369391231194374","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/18369391231194374","url":null,"abstract":"Child observation is a critical component of quality pedagogy in early childhood education and care (ECEC). The ORICL (Observe, Reflect, Improve Children’s Learning) tool was co-designed by ECEC researchers, policymakers, leaders, and practitioners to support this work. Educators rate the experiences of individual children, and responses of educators and peers on 118 items across five domains. In this study of the utility of ORICL, the tool was used by 21 educators across 12 ECEC services for a total of 66 children. Descriptive statistical analyses were used to determine how educators used the full range of the ORICL rating scale, and the psychometric properties of the tool were explored. Findings suggest that the ORICL items can be readily observed and rated by educators for children aged under 3 years, the rating scale is appropriate, and there is early evidence to support the domain structure of the tool.","PeriodicalId":80604,"journal":{"name":"Australian journal of early childhood","volume":"12 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136392423","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-01-17DOI: 10.1177/18369391231153681
Susan Edwards
{"title":"Contexts and connections","authors":"Susan Edwards","doi":"10.1177/18369391231153681","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/18369391231153681","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":80604,"journal":{"name":"Australian journal of early childhood","volume":"153 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135547046","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2015-09-01DOI: 10.1177/183693911504000314
Karuppiah Nirmala
THE PURPOSE OF THIS exploratory study was to understand childcare staff and parents' beliefs about quality care for infants/toddlers (aged birth to three years) in centre-based programs in Singapore. Childcare staff (comprising supervisors and educarers) were interviewed to gather their views about: (1) key dimensions of quality care for infants/toddlers; (2) training programs for infant/toddler care; and (3) knowledge and skills important for the provision of high-quality care and programs. Educarers were also observed to investigate the nature of their interactions with the infants/toddlers and invited to review and reflect on a video clip which depicted a caregiver interacting with a group of infants/toddlers. Additionally, parents were also interviewed for their perceptions on the research topic. The results from this study could be used to review the quality of care for infants/toddlers in centre-based programs and training courses which prepare childcare staff for work with infants/toddlers.
{"title":"Childcare Staff and Parents' Beliefs about Quality Care for Infants/Toddlers in Centre-Based Programs in Singapore","authors":"Karuppiah Nirmala","doi":"10.1177/183693911504000314","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/183693911504000314","url":null,"abstract":"THE PURPOSE OF THIS exploratory study was to understand childcare staff and parents' beliefs about quality care for infants/toddlers (aged birth to three years) in centre-based programs in Singapore. Childcare staff (comprising supervisors and educarers) were interviewed to gather their views about: (1) key dimensions of quality care for infants/toddlers; (2) training programs for infant/toddler care; and (3) knowledge and skills important for the provision of high-quality care and programs. Educarers were also observed to investigate the nature of their interactions with the infants/toddlers and invited to review and reflect on a video clip which depicted a caregiver interacting with a group of infants/toddlers. Additionally, parents were also interviewed for their perceptions on the research topic. The results from this study could be used to review the quality of care for infants/toddlers in centre-based programs and training courses which prepare childcare staff for work with infants/toddlers.","PeriodicalId":80604,"journal":{"name":"Australian journal of early childhood","volume":"60 1","pages":"105 - 113"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/183693911504000314","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"65697965","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2015-05-01DOI: 10.1177/183693911504000214
Tzuo Pei-Wen, Tan Liang See, Yong Foong Ling, Liang Jyh-Chong
IT IS OF CONCERN THAT the professionalism of early childhood teachers (PECT) is nebulous in the eyes of the public, and parents' perceptions of PECT may become an obstacle to the school–home partnership. This study explores teachers' versus parents' perceptions of the various characteristics of PECT to identify gaps among them and suggest ways to close these gaps. A mixed-methods research methodology was employed with 219 teacher and parent participants in Singapore. The quantitative findings indicate first that the teachers perceived PECT to be composed of two dimensions as two levels of capacity: fundamental pedagogical capacity and accumulated classroom studies of children. In contrast, the parents perceived PECT as a single dimension. Second, the gaps between teachers' and parents' perceptions were identified as four factor items of PECT, including characteristics of understanding a child's needs, being able to create good relations with children, professional development and valuing of ethics. We discuss these findings and suggest how to reach coherent views on PECT and create better dynamics between the two parties.
{"title":"Teachers' versus Parents' Perceptions of Professionalism of Early Childhood Teachers: A Mixed-Methods Study","authors":"Tzuo Pei-Wen, Tan Liang See, Yong Foong Ling, Liang Jyh-Chong","doi":"10.1177/183693911504000214","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/183693911504000214","url":null,"abstract":"IT IS OF CONCERN THAT the professionalism of early childhood teachers (PECT) is nebulous in the eyes of the public, and parents' perceptions of PECT may become an obstacle to the school–home partnership. This study explores teachers' versus parents' perceptions of the various characteristics of PECT to identify gaps among them and suggest ways to close these gaps. A mixed-methods research methodology was employed with 219 teacher and parent participants in Singapore. The quantitative findings indicate first that the teachers perceived PECT to be composed of two dimensions as two levels of capacity: fundamental pedagogical capacity and accumulated classroom studies of children. In contrast, the parents perceived PECT as a single dimension. Second, the gaps between teachers' and parents' perceptions were identified as four factor items of PECT, including characteristics of understanding a child's needs, being able to create good relations with children, professional development and valuing of ethics. We discuss these findings and suggest how to reach coherent views on PECT and create better dynamics between the two parties.","PeriodicalId":80604,"journal":{"name":"Australian journal of early childhood","volume":"40 1","pages":"117 - 126"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/183693911504000214","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"65696902","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2013-12-01DOI: 10.1177/183693911303800402
Peter de Vries
THIS ARTICLE REPORTS ON the technologies preschool teachers use to facilitate music learning experiences for children in their classrooms and why they choose to use or not use technologies. A questionnaire was administered to 185 teachers in a metropolitan Australian city focusing on the kinds of technologies being used, for what music activities, and reasons for using and not using these technologies. 81 questionnaires were returned (a response rate of 44 per cent). Nine of the respondents agreed to a follow-up day-long classroom observation and interview with the researcher. Results revealed that CDs dominated teacher use of technology to provide song repertoire and a model for singing this song repertoire. However, multimedia-based technology was also utilised for music learning experiences (i.e. DVDs/video, television, internet websites). However, more recent digital technologies such as digital music players/recorders, musical toys with digitised components and tablets were rarely used. While preschool teachers value technology to facilitate music learning experiences for young children, constraints in using technology were identified, including cost and lack of knowledge about using these technologies with young children.
{"title":"The Use of Technology to Facilitate Music Learning Experiences in Preschools","authors":"Peter de Vries","doi":"10.1177/183693911303800402","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/183693911303800402","url":null,"abstract":"THIS ARTICLE REPORTS ON the technologies preschool teachers use to facilitate music learning experiences for children in their classrooms and why they choose to use or not use technologies. A questionnaire was administered to 185 teachers in a metropolitan Australian city focusing on the kinds of technologies being used, for what music activities, and reasons for using and not using these technologies. 81 questionnaires were returned (a response rate of 44 per cent). Nine of the respondents agreed to a follow-up day-long classroom observation and interview with the researcher. Results revealed that CDs dominated teacher use of technology to provide song repertoire and a model for singing this song repertoire. However, multimedia-based technology was also utilised for music learning experiences (i.e. DVDs/video, television, internet websites). However, more recent digital technologies such as digital music players/recorders, musical toys with digitised components and tablets were rarely used. While preschool teachers value technology to facilitate music learning experiences for young children, constraints in using technology were identified, including cost and lack of knowledge about using these technologies with young children.","PeriodicalId":80604,"journal":{"name":"Australian journal of early childhood","volume":"38 1","pages":"12 - 5"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/183693911303800402","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"65691095","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 1995-09-01DOI: 10.1177/183693919502000302
L. Corrie
The Ministerial Task Force in Western Australia has stimulated debate on the issue of vertical integration in the early years of school. This paper traces the theoretical basis for vertical integration, and some differences in pedagogy between preprimary and primary teachers. Contrasts are drawn between transmission-based pedagogy with a higher level of teacher control, and acquirer-based pedagogy with a higher level of pupil control. It is suggested that these important issues of pedagogical knowledge should be addressed in order to achieve the underlying principles of vertical integration. In addition, early childhood pedagogy will be maintained when teachers are able to articulate their pedagogical knowledge and act as advocates for their profession.
{"title":"Vertical Integration: Teachers’ Knowledge and Teachers’ Voice","authors":"L. Corrie","doi":"10.1177/183693919502000302","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/183693919502000302","url":null,"abstract":"The Ministerial Task Force in Western Australia has stimulated debate on the issue of vertical integration in the early years of school. This paper traces the theoretical basis for vertical integration, and some differences in pedagogy between preprimary and primary teachers. Contrasts are drawn between transmission-based pedagogy with a higher level of teacher control, and acquirer-based pedagogy with a higher level of pupil control. It is suggested that these important issues of pedagogical knowledge should be addressed in order to achieve the underlying principles of vertical integration. In addition, early childhood pedagogy will be maintained when teachers are able to articulate their pedagogical knowledge and act as advocates for their profession.","PeriodicalId":80604,"journal":{"name":"Australian journal of early childhood","volume":"20 1","pages":"1 - 5"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1995-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/183693919502000302","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"65702657","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Standards at Play.","authors":"S. Warland","doi":"10.7748/paed.2.8.6.s13","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/paed.2.8.6.s13","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":80604,"journal":{"name":"Australian journal of early childhood","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1977-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71199184","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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