Early Years

Network Leader: Margaret Carr

The Early Years research network is concerned with research on educational policy and practice in and for early years contexts: early childhood settings, the early years of school, families and whānau.

Research themes have included Kaupapa Māori pedagogies and perspectives; opportunities to support families and whānau; transition between the early childhood and primary education sectors; assessment for learning and the role of documentation; teaching and learning of and with ICT, mathematics and science; museum education; and learning dispositions and key competencies in early education.

Researchers share a common interest in issues of learning opportunity and social justice. Many of their projects have researched interactions between learners and educational environments, with a focus on the national early childhood curriculum, Te Whāriki, and the early years of the New Zealand (school) Curriculum.

Research Strands

Family and Community:

This theme links to research that acknowledges families and communities as an integral aspect of early years education. Research in this area focuses on the engagement of families and whānau in their child’s education, the concept of integrated services, and multi-agency involvement.

Early Years Policy:

Policies at governmental and service levels provide the framing context in which early years education is provided. Research by network members focuses on the changing landscape of early years policy in Aotearoa New Zealand, together with considerations of these policies in the international context. Network members are also interested in researching partnerships between government, parents and whānau, teachers and community.

Early Years Teaching and Learning:

This research theme draws from, and builds on, work by network researchers with teachers, families and children in early years settings. A major interest is the ways in which teacher-child interactions and artifacts mediate the learning: responsive and reciprocal relationships with people, places and things. Specific topics include: learning dispositions and working theories, learning strands and learning areas; the role of ICT in education; the nature of early years curriculum; early years transitions; assessment; and teacher education.

Kaupapa Māori and Early Years Indigenous Education:

This research theme is about investigations of culturally inclusive pedagogy and the importance of te Ao Māori within the early years sector. Specific topics include whanaungatanga and relationships; culture and identity; complexities of indigenous education; Matauranga Māori; Māori learners as global citizens; recognising potential; recognising and engaging whānau, hapu and iwi as leaders in their children’s education.