Institute of Early Childhood Research and Community

Institute of Early Childhood Research and Community Outreach 2010

ii IEC Research and Community Outreach 2010COVER PhOtO: MIa MIa ChIld aNd FaMIly StudIES CENtREPhOtOgRaPhER: EFFy alExakIS

Welcome to the inaugural Institute of Early Childhood research and community outreach publication. Presentations, publications and community activities by our academics highlight the Institute’s commitment to maximising opportunities for young children, families and communities through research, teaching, learning and advocacy.

In 2010 the Institute of Early Childhood hosted a large number of international visitors. they included government policy makers,

early childhood academics and experts from countries such as New Zealand, Vanuatu, Papua New guinea, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Japan, the united States of america, Fiji, Singapore, Vietnam and Norway.

the Institute also welcomed Federal Minister the honourable kate Ellis and the then State Member of Bennelong the honourable Maxine Mckew.

the first Children and Childhoods Symposium was held by the Institute in 2010.

Our awards and scholarships presentation acknowledged the commitment, achievement and talent of our students. the Institute honoured alumni leanne gibbs, CEO of Community Child Care Cooperative for her accomplishments and dedication to early childhood education.

2010 saw the launch of the publication Deadlier with a Degree authored by Institute of Early Childhood aboriginal and torres Strait graduates. In the book these graduates share their stories of hope and survival in pursuing their dreams of a university degree.

the Institute of Early Childhood values integrity, collegiality, respect, intellectual rigour and social justice. this is evidenced by our many publications, presentations, successful grants, consultancies and community partnerships.

Dr Marina Papichead, Institute of Early Childhood

Welcome

2 IEC Research and Community Outreach 2010

IEC sponsored conferences �dr kathy Cologon and Professor Jacqueline hayden hosted a workshop from 23 – 25 august 2010 which was attended by sixteen representatives from four nations. these delegates, from Vanuatu, Papua New guinea Bangladesh and the Philippines, were early childhood specialists, government policy makers and from non-government organisations such as uNICEF.

�dr Fleur harris organised a visit from Professor angus MacFarlane of the university of Canterbury. he met with a cross-faculty team to discuss future collaborations between the two institutions.

� Professor Jacqueline hayden and dr Maria amigo coordinated a week-long meeting for 12 International ECd specialists in partnership with Queens university, Belfast. Participants who came from South america, the united States of america and Europe discussed current issues and research needs regarding young children and ethnic diversity.

Visitors to IEC � the honourable kate Ellis MP and former labor MP Maxine Mckew

� Professor alan Pence, uNESCO chair for early childhood education

� kokusai gakuin Saitama, Junior College exchange visit

� Jessica anzelone, Bank Street School for Children, New york City

� Emiliana afeaki, assistant Professor in Community Education at the Fiji National university

� Elizabeth tan, temasek humanities and Social Sciences College

� kari hoås Moen and Per tore granrusten, Queen Maud university College of Early Childhood Education and Care, Norway

�a delegation from Vietnam’s Ministry for Eduation

�Members from the New South Wales department of Education and training

IEC SpotlightNew Frontiers in Early Childhood: The first national early childhood leadership conference and roundtable, 11–12 November 2010, Sydney

this event was sponsored by Children’s Services Central (NSW) who commissioned associate Professor Manjula Waniganayake and anthony Semann (Phd candidate) to coordinate the event focusing specifically on early childhood leadership. the program consisted of a round table forum with invited speakers who presented stimulus papers to engage the audience to discuss leadership matters critically. the second day was open to the community and offered a variety of strategies including a debate to evoke further discussion.

Mia Mia Child and Family Studies Centre

IEC Research and Community Outreach 2010 3

Research ProjectsMaria amigo, A double transition: Migrant children starting school. department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (dEEWR) and Macquarie New Staff grant (MQNS)

Sheila degotardi and Emma Pearson, A study of the relationship perspectives and priorities of children, families and staff in early-childhood centres. Macquarie university Research development grant

Sheila degotardi, Cathrine Neilsen-hewett, Marina Papic, Sandra Cheeseman, Peter Whiteman, kathy Cologon and Catherine Patterson, Student and staff perspectives and expectations of first-year students’ academic skills. MQ Competitive grants Scheme

Fleur harris, The Australian Early Years Learning Framework: How does it inform teaching practices with Aboriginal children and include Aboriginal education philosophies? MQ New Staff grant

Jacqueline hayden and Maria amigo, ECd and Social Change: A Global Review. Queens university Belfast

Jacqueline hayden, Early childhood and emergencies: Developing the research agenda. the Consultative group on Early Childhood Care and development

kathy Cologon, and Jacqueline hayden, Raising awareness, identifying capacity and developing plans for enhanced programs and services regarding the issue of disaster risk reduction for young children and families in the Asia Region. uNICEF/aRNEC

Jacqueline hayden, lisa deters, kathy Cologon, and Emma Pearson, Evaluating the ECD Emergency Response in Haiti. the Consultative group on Early Childhood Care and development and uNICEF

Jacqueline hayden and Zinnia Mevawalla, Developing a conceptual framework for ECD in Cambodia. uNICEF

Jacqueline hayden and kathy Cologon, Framework for Developing ECD in Timor-Leste. Open Society Institute

kerry hodge, Gifted children and early childhood education: Teacher perspectives in prior-to-school settings. department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (dEEWR) and Macquarie New Staff grant (MQNS)

katey de gioia, Enabling a theory practice nexus for international students in professional experience. Macquarie university learning and teaching grant

Joanne Mulligan, lyn English, kerry hodge and Marina Papic, Transforming Children’s mathematical and scientific development: a longitudinal study. aRC discovery grant

Marina Papic, Joanne Mulligan and kate highfield, Improving numeracy outcomes for young Indigenous children through the Patterns and Early Algebra Preschool (PEAP) Professional Development Program. aRC linkages grant

Peter Whiteman, An investigation of young children’s multimodal conceptualisations of music. MQ New Staff grant

Jacqueline hayden and Zinnia Mevawalla held meetings with CaRE International and other NgOs during their research project in Cambodia. Jacqueline and Zinnia were investigating ECd capacity and recommending strategies for development for uNICEF Cambodia.

IEC SpotlightNew Frontiers in Early Childhood: The first national early childhood leadership conference and roundtable, 11–12 November 2010, Sydney

this event was sponsored by Children’s Services Central (NSW) who commissioned associate Professor Manjula Waniganayake and anthony Semann (Phd candidate) to coordinate the event focusing specifically on early childhood leadership. the program consisted of a round table forum with invited speakers who presented stimulus papers to engage the audience to discuss leadership matters critically. the second day was open to the community and offered a variety of strategies including a debate to evoke further discussion.


kathy Cologon and Jacqueline hayden on a recent visit to timor leste where they are conducting research on conditions for young children. Jun kukito, the uNICEF deputy Representative for timor leste and Cassie landers from Columbia university, uSa (pictured) are advisors to the the research project which is supported by the Open Society Foundation, uNICEF and Macquarie university.

kathy Cologan and Jacqueline hayden in discussion with the Prime Minister xanana gusmao of timor-leste.

Consultancieskathy Cologon and Jacqueline hayden were consultants to the Open Society Institute and uNICEF on ECd needs and capacities in timor-leste.

Frances gibson was a consultant to the Benevolent Society, a non-government organisation, contributing to the evaluation of an early intervention program for at risk preschool aged children.

katey de gioia and Fay hadley worked with NSW Police to equip their youth liaison Officers (ylO’s) with the skills to present the Keeping me safe program to children in primary schools. training is conducted three times a year for all new ylO’s.

Fay hadley worked with a stand-alone early childhood facility over a six-month period to investigate meaningful connections between the facility and families. She utilised a practitioner inquiry research approach. this was funded with a grant from the aCt Professional Support Coordinator.

Fay hadley revised the programming, planning and documentation processes of Strathfield One Stop Child Care Service.

Fay hadley consulted for two years with UTS Child Care Inc working in the organisation’s three early childhood settings revising their programming, planning and documentation processes, as well as reviewing their learning environments.

Jacqueline hayden and Zinnia Mevawalla developed an ECd Conceptual Framework for Cambodia with uNICEF.

kate highfield worked on the evaluation and revision of the Playschool and Bananas in Pyjamas websites for aBC kids television.

Rosalind kitson and Peter Whiteman prepared teaching resources (for children from 8 to 12 years) in diverse areas of the primary school curriculum for the School aid website. School aid is a not for profit organisation.

School aid trust: teacher’s lounge: www.schoolaid.org.au/teachers.aspx

School aid trust: Springboards/teaching resources: www.schoolaid.org.au/teachers/free-classroom-resources.aspx

Jennifer Nicholls worked with the NSW DET Creative Arts Directorate to create online teaching resources, learning activities and digital marking samples for NSW Secondary drama teachers, as part of the New South Wales digital Education Revolution.

Jennifer Nicholls was a consultant for Charles Darwin University, working with staff in Education and humanities on the areas of student engagement and online technologies.

Emma Pearson and Belinda davis were consultants for uNICEF. they worked with Fiji National university and the university of the South Pacific to present a progress review for the Forum Education Ministers’ Meeting on early childhood education and care in the Pacific region.

Workshopsthe Bayley Scales of Infant and toddler development third Edition training workshops for Pearson academy. (Frances gibson)

Workshop for Farran Street Education on giftedness and the factors that contribute to the realisation of a child’s exceptional potential. (kerry hodge)

Workshop for Children’s Services Central and early childhood staff in the hawkesbury Region: Living and learning together: Understanding and supporting the social world of babies and toddlers. (Sheila degotardi)

Professional development workshop for ku Services: Young children’s musical creativity, young children’s singing development, music for infants and toddlers. (amanda Niland)

Professional development workshops for the Indigenous Professional Support unit NSW and aCt, Mathematics in Early Childhood: Implementing culturally appropriate experiences! Erskineville, Newcastle and tamworth. (Marina Papic)

Other invited activities (partnerships, professional appointments, board participation, book launches, community partnerships)

Jennifer Bowes was invited to join the australian Research alliance for Children and youth Steering Committee on Early Childhood Research in australia.

In March Jennifer Bowes was invited to speak to Community Services NSW, the NSW Premier and Cabinet and representatives of the Indigenous Child and Family Centre in NSW on findings from Child Care Choices of Indigenous families’ research.

kathy Cologon was invited to join the Board of directors of lifestart.

Marianne Fenech was an invited participant in the dEEWR funded Worldviews, Theories and Philosophies in Children’s Services project, undertaken by Miriam guigni. this project was designed to resource early childhood professionals to engage with the new national Early years learning Framework (EylF) using different theoretical perspectives.

Deadlier with a Degree was launched at Wunambiri Preschool, alexandria, with a welcome to country in dance by aunty ali and an address by aunty Norma Ingram. Indigenous co-authors and community members celebrated this contribution to Indigenous higher education. there have been requests for copies across three states. (alma Fleet and Ros kitson)

Jacqueline hayden was an invited speaker at the global Conmult Child development Centre, harvard university, uSa. She spoke on confronting macro-level challenges to healthy child development posed by disaster, conflict, disease, and large-scale economic change.

Jacqueline hayden was a keynote speaker at the First National ECCd Conference, garoka, Papua New guinea. She spoke on ECD and vulnerable children in resource poor contexts.

Jacqueline hayden was invited by NaEyC, Washington dC to participate as an advisor to the international research project: Migrant children and ECd in Washington, uSa.

Jacqueline hayden was appointed Coordinator and Chair of uNICEF Emergency Consult in New york, identifying the issues for young children in emergency, disaster and fragile situations.

Jacqueline hayden and Maria amigo were invited to participate on the International Steering Committee for Children and ethnic diversity, uNa, yogjakata, Indonesia.

amanda Niland was invited to be an early childhood commissioner on the Early Childhood Music Education Commission of the International Society for Music Education.


Peter Whiteman and Rosalind kitson have established a community partnership between the Institute of Early Childhood and the Museum of Contemporary art to foster engagement in the arts for our students.

Selected tender awarded for Panel on leadership and Child development (2011–2013) for the department of Education and Early Childhood development Victoria and Bastow Institute for leadership. Consortium led by Semann and Slattery, associate Professor Manjula Waniganayake, Wendy Shepherd and anthony Semann (IEC hdR candidate).

IEC Masters students spent the day at the Museum of Contemporary art accompanied by Senior lecturer, Ros kitson.

the Institute of Early Childhood annual Scholarship and award prize winners. left to right: kristen hammond, amanda Preston, annette Reeves, Jessica Cullen, danielle alam, Michael Earp, laura Fife, amber hinton, amanda Parrinelli

Selected tender awarded to associate Professor Manjula Waniganayake and anthony Semann (IEC hdR candidate) to establish a professional development network called the aspiring leaders Forum for early childhood educators working in New South Wales. this project was funded by Children’s Services Central NSW and developed in collaboration with Semann and Slattery (december 2009 – November 2010). Based on the success with the first cohort of aspiring leaders, this project has been renewed for another year.

Shirley Wyver was invited to be a guest editor on a special issue of Play and Outdoor learning in the European Early Childhood Education Research Journal.


Publications

BooksAmigó, M. F. (2010) Children chasing money: Children’s work in rural Lombok, Indonesia, VdM Verlag Publishers.

arthur, l., Mcardle, F., and Papic, M. (2010). Stars are made of glass: Children as capable and creative communicators. aCt: Early Childhood australia.

tuna, a. and Hayden, J. (Edts) (2010) Early Childhood Programs as the Doorway to Social Cohesion: Application of Vygotsky’s Ideas from and East-West Perspective. Newcastle upon tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.

Book ChaptersBowes, J., Hodge, K., and Grace, R. (2010). Isolation and inclusion in australian early childhood settings. In M. Clark and S. a. tucker (Eds.), Changing childhoods in a changing world (pp.57–66). Stoke-on-trent, England: trentham Books.

Degotardi, S. and Pearson, E. (2010). knowing me, knowing you: the relationship dynamics of infant play. In M. Ebbeck and M. Waniganayake (Eds.) Play in early childhood education: Learning in diverse contexts (pp. 46–66). Melbourne: Oxford university Press.

Ebbeck, M., and Waniganayake, M. (2010). Perspectives on play in a changing world. In M. Ebbeck and M. Waniganayake (Eds.) Play in early childhood education: Learning in diverse contexts (pp. 5–25). Melbourne: Oxford university Press.

Ebbeck, M., and Waniganayake, M. (2010). Play: Some concluding comments. In M. Ebbeck and M. Waniganayake (Eds.) Play in early childhood education: Learning in diverse contexts (pp. 288–293). Melbourne: Oxford university Press.

Fasoli, l., Wunungmurra, a., Ecenarro, V., and Fleet, A. (2010). Playing as becoming: Sharing australian aboriginal voices on play. In M. Ebbeck and M. Waniganayake (Eds.) Play in early childhood education: Learning in diverse contexts (pp. 215-232). Melbourne: Oxford university Press.

Goodnow, J.J. (2010). Culture. In M. Bornstein (Ed.) Handbook of cultural developmental science (pp. 3–20). New york: Psychology Press.

Hayden, J. (2010). Making a difference – East and West meet Vygotsky. In a. tuna and J. hayden (Eds.). Early childhood programs as the doorway to social cohesion: Application of Vygotsky’s ideas from an East-West perspective. Newcastle upon tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.

Hayes, A. (2010). design issues. In g. Mac Naughton, S.a. Rolfe, and I. Siraj-Blatchford (Eds.). Doing early childhood research (2nd ed.). (pp.103–125). Crows Nest: allen and unwin.

Highfield, K. (2010). Possibilities and pitfalls of techno-toys and digital play in mathematics learning. In M. Ebbeck and M. Waniganayake (Eds.) Play in early childhood education: learning in diverse contexts (pp. 177–196). Melbourne: Oxford university Press.

Morda, R. and Waniganayake, M. (2010). Emergence of child leadership through play in early childhood. In M. Ebbeck and M. Waniganayake (Eds.) Play in early childhood education: Learning in diverse contexts (pp. 103–118). Melbourne: Oxford university Press.

Philip, R., and Nicholls, J. (2010). drama, theater, and e-learning. In W. kinuthia and S. Marshall (Eds.), Cases ‘n’ places: Global cases in educational and performance technology (pp. 223–231). Charlotte, NC: Information age Publishing.

Struppert, a., guo, Q., and Waniganayake, M. (2010). Promoting intercultural competence through technology-based play. In M. Ebbeck and M. Waniganayake (Eds.). Play in early childhood education: Learning in diverse contexts (pp.270–287). Melbourne: Oxford university Press.

the Institute of Early Childhood annual Scholarship and award prize winners. left to right: kristen hammond, amanda Preston, annette Reeves, Jessica Cullen, danielle alam, Michael Earp, laura Fife, amber hinton, amanda Parrinelli


Waniganayake, M. (2010) Combating bullying behaviour through leadership in a caring community in E. Ng, and k. Rigby, (Eds.) Breaking the silence: Bullying in Singapore (pp. 229–243). Singapore: armour Publishing.

Whiteman, P. (2010). On being a discussant. In l.k. thompson and M.R. Campbell (Eds.). Issues of identity in music education: Narratives and practices. (pp.128–134). Charlotte, NC: Information age Publishing.

Journal Articles Amigo, M.F. (2010). Small bodies, large contribution: Children’s work in the tobacco plantations of lombok, Indonesia. The Asia Pacific Journal of Anthropology, 11(1), 34–51.

Bobis, J., Papic, M., and Mulligan, J. (2009–2010). the mathematical knowledge of preschool practitioners: Evidence from the field. Journal of Australian Research in Early Childhood Education. 16(2), 87–97.

Burgess, J., Robertson, g. and Patterson, C. (2010). Curriculum implementation: decisions of early childhood teachers. Australasian Journal of Early Childhood, 35(3), 51–59.

Degotardi, S. (2010). high-quality interactions with infants: Relationships with early childhood practitioners’ interpretations and qualification levels in play and routine contexts. International Journal of Early Years Education, 18(1), 27–41.

Fenech, M. Sweller, N. and harrison, l. (2010). Identifying high quality centre based childcare using quantitative data sets: What the numbers do and don’t tell us. International Journal of Early Years Education, 8(4), 283–296.

Fenech, M., Sumsion, J., and Shepherd, W. (2010). Promoting early childhood teacher professionalism in the australian context: the place of resistance. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 11(1), 89–105.

graham, l.J., Sweller, N., and Van Bergen, P. (2010). detaining the usual suspects: Charting the use of segregated settings in New South Wales government schools, australia. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 11(3), 234–248.

Jones, L. and De Gioai, K. (2010). the same or separate? an exploration of teachers’ perceptions of the classroom assignment of twins in prior to school and kindergarten to year two school settings. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 8(3), 239–253.

Kitson, R. and Bowes, J. (2010). Incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing in early education for Indigenous children. Australasian Journal of Early Childhood, 35(4), 81–89.

Little, H. (2010). Risk, challenge and safety in outdoor play: Pedagogical and regulatory tensions. Asia-Pacific Journal of Research in Early Childhood Education, 4(1), 3–24.

Little, H. (2010). Relationship between parents’ beliefs and their responses to children’s risk-taking behaviour during outdoor play. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 8(3), 315–330.

Little, H. and Eager, d. (2010). Risk, challenge and safety: Implications for play quality and playground design. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 18(4), 497–513.

Little, H., and Wyver, S. (2010). Individual differences in children’s risk perception and appraisals in outdoor play environments. International Journal of Early Years Education, 18(4), 297–313.

Papic, M., Mulligan, J., and Bobis, J. (2009–2010). listening to Indigenous early childhood practitioners: Mathematics learning in community contexts. Journal of Australian Research in Early Childhood Education. 16(2), 49–61.

Sweller, N., and hayes, B.k. (2010). More than one kind of inference: Re-examining what’s learned in feature inference classification. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 63(8), 1568–1589.


Walsh, R., Hodge, K., Bowes, J. and kemp, C. (2010). Same age, different page: Catering for young gifted children in prior-to-school settings. International Journal of Early Childhood, 42 (1), 43–58.

Wyver, S., tranter, P., Naughton, g., Little, H., Sandseter, E.B.h., and Bundy, a. (2010). ten ways to restrict children’s freedom to play: the problem of surplus safety. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 11(3), 263–277.

Papers published with conference proceedings Bowes, J., Kitson, R., and Burns, N. (2010). Quality in children’s services – ‘yarning’ with parents in the Indigenous Child Care Choices (ICCC) study. In S. howard (Ed.). Proceedings of the AARE International Education Research Conference. aaRE. www.aare.edu.au/10pap/abs10.htm

De Gioia, K., and Hadley, F. (2010). Exploring the role of police officers in early childhood services: Creating a meaningful connection with the community. In S. howard (Ed.). Proceedings of the AARE International Education Research Conference. aaRE. www.aare.edu.au/10pap/abs10.htm

Little, H. (2010). Finding the balance: Early childhood practitioners’views on risk, challenge and safety in outdoor play settings. In S. howard (Ed.). Proceedings of the AARE International Education Research Conference. aaRE. www.aare.edu.au/10pap/abs10.htm

Little, H., Wyver, S., and Gibson, F. (2010). levels of positive risk-taking and peer context in preschoolers’ play. In S. howard (Ed.). Proceedings of the AARE International Education Research Conference. aaRE. www.aare.edu.au/10pap/abs10.htm

Neilsen-Hewett, C., harrison, l.J., taylor, a., Sweller, N., and Bowes, J. (2010). Parents views on their use of multiple and changeable care – using computer-assisted telephone interview (CatI) in the Child Care Choices (CCC) study. In S. howard (Ed.). Proceedings of the AARE International Education Research Conference. aaRE. www.aare.edu.au/10pap/abs10.htm

Wyver, S., Bundy, A., Naughton, G., Tranter, P., Sandseter, E.B., and Ragan, J. (2010). Safe outdoor play for young children: Paradoxes and consequences. In S. howard (Ed.). Proceedings of the AARE International Education Research Conference. aaRE. www.aare.edu.au/10pap/abs10.htm

Other publications Amigó, M.F. (2010) Eager to Work, Inside Indonesia, 100 (april – June), 16.

Amigó, M.F. (2010) Children at a crossroads of expectations: an ethnographic approach to understanding the experiences of migrant parents, children and their teachers as newly arrived children start school in australia. Bulletin of the International Society of the Study of Behavioural Development. (pp 33–36).

Chan, M. Chang, a. Wong, d. and Waniganayake, M. (2010) developing inclusive relationships among early childhood staff, Every Child, 16(1): 22–26.

Grace, R., Gibson, F. McMaugh, A., and Bowes, J. (2010). Exploring the efficacy of an integrated child and family service model: Parent and Worker perceptions and expectations, and child developmental outcomes. Report to uniting Care Burnside, NSW.

Grace, R. and Bowes, J. (2010). Barriers to Participation: The experiences of disadvantaged young children, their families, and professionals in engaging with early childhood services. Report to the NSW department of human Services.

harrison, l. J., ungerer, J. a., Smith, g. J., Zubrick, S. R., and Wise, S., with Press, F., Waniganayake, M. and the lSaC Research Consortium. (2009). Child care and early education in australia. the longitudinal Study of australian Children. Social Policy Research Paper No. 40. Canberra: australian government department of Families, housing, Community Services and Indigenous affairs.


Hayden, J., Cologon, K. and Whittaker, l. (2010) Guidelines for assessing ECD/ECCD as a component of DRR in the Asia Region. Report on the First technical Workshop august 23 – 25, Sydney, australia.

Hayden, J., Dunn, R. and Cologon, K. (2010) Early Childhood Care and development in Emergency Situations: annotated Bibliography. Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE geneva).

Highfield, K. (2010). Robotic toys as a catalyst for mathematical problem solving. Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom, 15(2), 22–27.

Hodge, K. (2010). Report on the Nancy Fairfax Churchill Fellowship to investigate innovative programs for gifted preschoolers and training in early gifted education for their teachers, in the uSa, Canada and the uk. http://www.churchilltrust.com.au/fellows/reports/education/early-childhood/

Semann, a. and Waniganayake, M. (2010) Courageous acts, Rattler, 93, autumn, 25–26.Waniganayake, M. (2010) an invited book review of Childhood in a global perspective by Wells, k. (2009) Cambridge, Polity Press in the Journal of Sociology, 46, december, 46(3), 340–342.

IEC SpotlightIEC and the Archdiocese of Sydney

alma Fleet, Catherine Patterson and katie de gioia pursued an ongoing research-based funded consultancy with the archdiocese of Sydney. With the success of the third year of the Early years Project, the team has been invited to continue its role across the archdiocesan schools in 2011, pursuing educational change through practitioner enquiry. a commissioned case study of six schools within the project was developed as an annual Report. Building on reports from previous years, findings clearly indicate the benefits of building enquiry based learning communities for children and educators, particularly when time and personnel are available to scaffold the initiatives and senior staff pursue personally driven enquiries.

drs linda graham and Marianne Fenech initiated and implemented a grass roots ECRs@MQ development program. this series of workshops aimed to build a culture of collaboration and practical, collegial support amongst early career researchers in the human Sciences and arts faculties, and develop the capacity of ECR participants to actively and successfully pursue a program of research.

Conference Papers, Presentations and Posters‘a new country, a new school: Migrant children at a crossroads of expectations.’ Paper presented at the Migrant and Refugee Families Conference, November, Sydney. (amigo, M.)

‘Extended liminality: a new country, a new language, a new school and new roles for latin american children migrating to australia.’ Paper presented at the Society for Applied Anthropology Annual Meeting, March, Merida, Mexico. (amigo, M.)

‘Early Childhood in Multicultural Perspectives: Multicultural approaches in Improving the Quality of Early Childhood Program.’ Faculty of Psychology, Gadjah Mada University, May, Jogjakarta, Indonesia. (amigo, M.)

‘My daughter helps me to get around: Social roles of child migrants in australia.’ Paper presented at the Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference, July, Melbourne. (amigo, M.)


‘Playing with Mathematics: Play in Early Childhood as a Context for Mathematical Learning.’ Symposium presentation at the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA) annual conference, July, Fremantle. (Bobis,J., deVries, E., Highfield, K., hunting, R,. lee S., Perry, B., thomas l,. and Warren, E.)

Invited speaker to the national Social Inclusion Board meeting with uniting Care, Burnside on research conducted by the Children and Families Research Centre, March, Macquarie university. (Bowes, J.)

‘Maternal age and psychological maturity: Preliminary findings regarding pregnancy adjustment and early parenthood.’ Poster presented at the World Association for Infant Mental Health Conference, leipzig, June, germany, (Camberis, a., McMahon, C., Gibson, F., and Boivin, J.)

‘development and validation of the Parental goals for Children’s Individualistic and Relational Emotional Competence Scale.’ Paper presented at the 10th Pacific Early Childhood Education Research Association 10th Annual Conference, July, hangzhou, China. (Chan, Shirley. M., and Wyver, S.)

‘the best start in life to create a better future for themselves and for the nation –governance and pedagogy in australia’s productivity agenda.’ Paper presented at Creating New Frontiers in Early Childhood: The first national early childhood leadership conference and roundtable, November, Sydney. (Cheeseman, S.)

‘an exploration of the relationship between leadership practices and professional learning in early childhood centres.’ Paper presented at Creating New Frontiers in Early Childhood: The first national early childhood leadership conference and roundtable, November, Sydney. (Colmer, k. IEC’s hdR candidate)

‘What would Socrates do? Pre-service teachers examining and challenging their own attitudes and concerns regarding inclusive education.’ Paper presented at the Early Childhood Intervention Australia 9th Biennnial National Conference, May, Canberra. (Cologon, k.)

‘disaster Risk Reduction: Building Inclusive Communities.’ ARNEC/UNICEF sponsored workshop for Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Vanuatu and Bangladesh, august, Sydney. (Cologon, k)

‘ECd and Emergency Situations – an issue for the asia Pacific.’ ECD Regional Policy Conference, UNICEF, Sept, Port Moresby, PNg. (Cologon, k. and hayden, J.)

‘disaster risk reduction and early childhood development in the asia Pacific region: the role of the community.’ Poster presentation at the South Asia Regional Conference on ECD, Bangladesh ECD Network (BEN) and Asia Pacific Regionl Network on Early Childhood (ARNEC), december, dhaka, Bangladesh. (Cologon, k., and hayden, J.)

‘Early childhood educator’s beliefs and provisions for, infant peer relationships in early childhood settings.’ Poster presented at the Children and Childhoods Symposium, Macquarie University, September, North Ryde. (davis, B.)

‘Exploring the role of police officers in early childhood services: Creating a meaningful connection with the community.’ Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Australian Association for Research in Education, december, Melbourne. (de gioia, k., and hadley, F.)

‘Interpretations of infants and their link to relationship-enhancing interactions in day-care infant programs.’ Paper presented at the European Early Childhood Education Research Association Conference, September, Birmingham. (degotardi, S.)

‘using practitioner inquiry to promote reflexivity and change in infant-toddler early childhood programs.’ Paper presented at the Children and Childhoods Symposium, Macquarie University, September, Sydney. (degotardi, S., Semann, a., Shepherd, W., and honig, t.)

IEC SpotlightIEC and the Archdiocese of Sydney

alma Fleet, Catherine Patterson and katie de gioia pursued an ongoing research-based funded consultancy with the archdiocese of Sydney. With the success of the third year of the Early years Project, the team has been invited to continue its role across the archdiocesan schools in 2011, pursuing educational change through practitioner enquiry. a commissioned case study of six schools within the project was developed as an annual Report. Building on reports from previous years, findings clearly indicate the benefits of building enquiry based learning communities for children and educators, particularly when time and personnel are available to scaffold the initiatives and senior staff pursue personally driven enquiries.


‘Speaking the same language? Parents’ and educators’ priorities for relationship functions in early childhood centres.’ Paper presented at the annual Conference of the Australian Association for Research in Education, december, Melbourne. (degotardi, S., and Pearson, E.)

‘Parent users of high-quality long day care: Informed consumers of child care?’ Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Australian Association for Research in Education, december, Melbourne. (Fenech, M., harrison, l., and Sumsion, J.)

‘Pedagogical documentation: does it matter if we don’t know what we’re talking about?’ Paper presented at the Biennial Conference of Early Childhood Australia September, adelaide. (Fleet, a. and Patterson, C.)

‘Exploring the efficacy of an integrated child and family service model – Child development and behaviour outcomes.’ Paper presented at the International Conference of Applied Psychology, July, Melbourne. (gibson, F.)

‘Parenting and Child Outcomes after In vitro fertilisation (IVF) or assisted reproductive technologies (aRt).’ Paper presented to Northern Sydney and Central Coast Area Health Service at Macquarie Hospital, May, North Ryde. (gibson, F.)

‘Impact of Maternal age and aRt Conception on Infant Outcomes and Behaviour.’ Poster presented at the International Federation of Fertility Societies Annual Conference, October, germany. (Gibson, F. , McMahon, C., Boivin, J., Fisher, J., Wynter, k., hammarberg, k., Saunders, d.)

‘the early childhood experiences of australian children in disadvantaged communities.’ Paper presented at the European Early Childhood Education Research Association Conference Birmingham, September, uk. (grace, R. and Bowes J.)

‘Barriers to participation: the experiences of disadvantaged families in engaging with early childhood services.’ Paper presented at the Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference, July, Melbourne. (grace, R. and Bowes, J.)

IEC SpotlightMia Mia Child and Family Studies Centre

the Mia Mia dVds had not been updated for several years so planning on the next series got underway. the Centre had been working for some time with the Costa and kallick habits of Mind and wanted to find a vehicle to share this way of thinking about children’s thinking...”making it visible”.

In 2010 the Centre was successful in its application to the department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations for production costs of $52,300 and filming took place in November last year. the editing process refined the elements intended for the final version and ‘critical friends’ will be asked for their insights and thoughts about the content.

‘Early childhood and social change: addressing social inclusions through programs for young children.’ Paper presented at the joint seminar of una and the Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Gadjah Mada, May, Jogjakarta, Indonesia. (hayden, J., amigo, M., and arias, J.)

‘Emergency Situations and the Plight of young Children.’ Paper presented for the INEE Global Consultation, March, Istanbul, turkey. (hayden, J.)

‘We are the world – ECd on the international arena.’ keynote paper presented at the Macquarie Inaugural Conference on Early Childhood, October, Sydney. (hayden, J.)

‘ECd and Social Change.’ Paper presented at the uNa – Global Initiative on Children and Ethnic Diversity, March, Merida, Mexico. (hayden, J. and amigo, M.)

‘Early childhood and social change.’ Invited paper, UNA International Steering Committee, March, Merida, Mexico. (hayden, J.)

‘Researching ECd:a global perspective.’ Invited paper, Indonesian ECD Conference, May, yogjakarta, Indonesia . (Hayden, J., Amigo, M., and arias J.)


‘disaster Risk Reduction: assessing the Needs for young Children.’ ARNEC/UNICEF Seminar, September, PNg, Philippines, Vanuatu and Bangladesh, Macquarie university. (hayden, J.)

‘ECd and Vulnerable Children in Resource Poor Contexts.’ First National ECCD Conference, June, garoka, Papua New guinea, (hayden, J.)

‘Identifying ECd research needs.’ Presentation and participant in UNICEF Global Consult on Developing an International Research Agenda. april, New york. (hayden, J.)

‘Early childhood and disaster risk reduction.’ Invited presentation and advisor Global Consult, Global Framework for Quality ECD, april, New york university, abu dhabi. (hayden, J.)

‘Perspectives on ECd in Emergency in the asia Pacific Region: aRNEC ediscussion.’ aRNEC, Singapore. (Cologon, k., and hayden, J.)

‘Emergencies and Early Childhood.’ Global Consult, Global Framework for Quality ECD, april, New york university, abu dhabi. (hayden, J.)

‘Environments that inspire our young bright sparks.’ Paper presented at the Early Childhood Australia national Conference, October, adelaide. (hodge, k.)

‘When a young child’s development is advanced: Program directions from North america and the uk.’ Paper presented at the Inaugural Children and Childhoods Symposium, September, Institute of Early Childhood. (hodge, k.)

‘goodwill or irritation? the beliefs and experiences of preschool and childcare teachers in NSW regarding parents who view their child as gifted.’ Paper presented at the 11th Asia-Pacific Conference on Giftedness, august, Sydney. (hodge, k.)

‘young children who are very able: What facilitates optimal engagement and learning in their education?’ Scottish Network for able Pupils (SNaP), University of Glasgow, Scotland and South West Gifted and Talented Education (SWGaTE), June, torquay, uk. (Hodge, K. and grant, a.)

‘I made my robot do the hokey pokey: Preschoolers investigating robotic toys to develop mathematical reasoning.’ Paper presented at the Annual Australian Research in Early Childhood Education Conference, January, Melbourne. (highfield, k.)

‘Children’s risk-taking in outdoor play: the influence of play context and adult interaction.’ Paper presented at the 10th Pacific Early Childhood Education Research association 10th Annual Conference, July, hangzhou, China. (little, h., Wyver, S., and gibson, F.)

‘does partner relationship context and adjustment during the transition to parenthood differ according to maternal age and mode of conception?’ Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Fertility Society of Australia, October, adelaide. (McMahon, C., Gibson F., Boivin, J., Fisher, J., Wynter, k., hammarberg, k., and Saunders, d.)

‘Perhaps all we need is a bit of courage: Opening spaces for new dialogue around leadership.’ Paper presented at Creating New Frontiers in Early Childhood: The first national early childhood leadership conference and roundtable, November, Sydney. (Semann, a. IEC’s hdR candidate)

‘young children who are very able: What facilitates optimal engagement and learning in their education?’ Invited paper presented at the meeting of Scottish Network for Able Pupils (SNAP), University of Glasgow, glasgow, June, Scotland. (Hodge, K., and grant, a.)

‘young gifted children: What facilitates optimal engagement and learning in their education?’ Invited paper presented at the meeting of South West Gifted and Talented Education (SWGaTE), June, torquay, uk., (Hodge, K., and grant a.)

‘Strengthening language and literacy practices in low socioeconomic area preschools: lessons in an australian context.’ Paper presented at the International Reading Association- 23rd World Congress on Reading, July, auckland, New Zealand. (McNaught, M.)

IEC SpotlightMia Mia Child and Family Studies Centre

the Mia Mia dVds had not been updated for several years so planning on the next series got underway. the Centre had been working for some time with the Costa and kallick habits of Mind and wanted to find a vehicle to share this way of thinking about children’s thinking...”making it visible”.

In 2010 the Centre was successful in its application to the department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations for production costs of $52,300 and filming took place in November last year. the editing process refined the elements intended for the final version and ‘critical friends’ will be asked for their insights and thoughts about the content.


‘Early childhood mathematics curriculum.’ Invited presenter at the Fiji National Education Conference, Education in Fiji – Achievements, Issues and Challenges, November, lautoka Fiji.(Papic, M.)

‘Relating to infants: three explorations of the context of relationship-based infant-toddler programs.’ Symposium at the European Early Childhood Education Research Association Conference, September, Birmingham, uk. (Pearson, E. and degotardi, S.)

‘Safe and sedentary: the consequences of minimal-risk play environments.’ Paper presented at the Inaugural Children and Childhoods Symposium, September, Macquarie university, Sydney. (Wyver, S., Naughton, g., Little, H., Sandseter, E.B.h., Bundy, a., and tranter.)

‘Outdoor play and social skills in the early school years: Preliminary findings from the Sydney Playground Project.’ Poster paper presented at 20th European Early Childhood Educators Research Association Annual Conference, September, university of Birmingham, uk. (Wyver, S., Bundy, a., Schiller, W., tranter, P., Naugton, g., and Ragen, J.)

‘learning through involvement: an alternate method of professional development.’ Paper presented at the Australian Community Children Services Conference Waves of change – Are you on board? May, Wollongong. (Hadley, F., Clarke, d., Franco-garay, a., Beesley, S., and Welch, k.)

‘Introduction to practitioner inquiry/action research.’ Paper presented at the Montessori Australia action research workshop, May, Sydney. (de gioia, k., hadley, F.)

IEC SpotlightUnpacking Conference

the annual unpacking Conference run in conjunction with Semann and Slattery was held on March 12 and 13 2010. It was offered to, and enjoyed by, early childhood educators interested in thinking through challenges from Reggio Emilia in australian contexts.

Co-convenors: alma Fleet and Janet Robertson

Professional development keynote addresses and workshops were presented in two cities for New Zealand prior to school educators in conjunction with Semann and Slattery consultants. topics included leadership (anthony Semann and Wendy Shepherd), Outdoor learning environments (Roberstson, J.) and documenting early years curriculum (Fleet, a. and honig, t.)

‘Perhaps all we need is a bit of courage: Opening spaces for new dialogue around leadership.’ Paper presented at Creating New Frontiers in Early Childhood: The first national early childhood leadership conference and roundtable, November, Sydney. (Semann, a. IEC’s hdR candidate.)

‘Something old, something new: Prioritising research on early childhood leadership.’ Paper presented at Creating New Frontiers in Early Childhood: The first national early childhood leadership conference and roundtable, November, Sydney. (Waniganayake, M.)


The Children and Childhoods Symposiumthis inaugural event was held at IEC on 24 and 25 September 2010. It brought together 70 participants from diverse professional backgrounds that all have children as their focus. It showcased IEC research and provided opportunities for academics to come together to network and identify possible collaborations.

Committee: katey de goia, Peter Whiteman, Fay hadley, Rebecca andrews, Sheila degotardi, amanda Niland, Emma Pearson, kathy Cologan

Honouring our AlumniIn this era of competition, consolidation and economic rationalism within universities and the rapid changes with reforms in the early childhood sector, the Institute is committed to demonstrating and celebrating our graduate capabilities to the university community, our sector partners and the community at large.

On 4 November 2010, the Institute of Early Childhood acknowledged the achievements of one of our alumni and applauded and celebrated her many successes. the Institute honoured alumni Ms leanne gibbs, CEO of Community Child Care Cooperative.

alumni Profileleanne gibbs graduated in 1984 with a diploma of teaching and in 1992 with a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) from the Institute of Early Childhood. leanne completed postgraduate studies at Macquarie graduating in 2008 with a Masters in Politics and Public Policy.


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Documents

Institute of Early Childhood Research and Community