Early years Conference success
Date / Time: 29 July 2017
The Early Years Research Centre Conference: Children in the early years: Pedagogy, policy and community connectedness was held on 29 July and had record attendance. Early Years Educators from all around New Zealand packed in to hear a diverse range of speakers from as far away as the University of London.
Keynote speaker Vanessa Paki from the University of Waikato opened the day with her inspiring address on Kaupapa transition: The intersections of pedagogial beliefs, practices and philosophies of educators and whanau in educational transitions. This presentation shared findings from a three year TLRI project that explored ways in which children's learning journeys can be enhanced as they transition from early childhood to school.
After lunch keynote speaker Dr Lynn Arg from the University College, London spoke on Placing children at the centre of policy: A multilevel conceptual model of early childhood development and inequality. The theme of this presentation was about positioning children at the centre of policy in the face of global inequalities and illustrated that placing children in this way offerred opportunities for them as agents of change in the promotion of social cohesion.
Programme and abstract booklet
There was a range of individual presentations plus presentations from the forum snapshots sessions. Some of these have been available below.
Janette Kelly-Ware Mirrors, windows and sliding glass doors – “This is our house”
Linda Dowling Distributing leadership to children and families through the collective exploration of the local community
Gail Pierce Leading from a distance: Growing capacity in others
Brenda Bicknell and Jenny Young-Loveridge The power of groups in building number concepts
Linda Mitchell and Sonja Arndt Transitions and transience
Jeanette Clarkin-Phillips Supporting families “It’s just what we do”
Amanda Bateman and Amelia Church Using conversation analysis as a method for professional learning in early childhood
Kirsten Petrie and Jeanette Clarkin-Phillips A helping hand? Outside support to enhance physical wellbeing for children in early childhood education
Jane Ewens The heart of the issue: ECE teachers’ beliefs about what it takes to be a great teacher?
Hazel Woodhouse Developing communities of practice to support families’ experiences of their children’s transition to school
Halimah Ilavarasi Cultural narratives and representation of animals in children-animal relationships in Aotearoa New Zealand
Rene Novak The pedagogical potential of virtual reality