Early Childhood Education Commons^™

Generations Growing Together: Intergenerational Learning As A Pedagogical Strategy In Early Childhood Education And Care Services. A Handbook For Practitioners And Trainers, Anne Fitzpatrick

Books/Book chapters

Despite being the oldest form of learning, IGL has declined steadily over time due to wide-ranging social, cultural, economic and demographic changes. Children in the Western world are growing up in smaller, geographically dispersed family circles and, consequently, have fewer opportunities to interact with different age groups and to see themselves as part of a multigenerational society. Older people are living longer, yet are frequently separated from their families by distance, migration and family breakdown and, more recently, by COVID-19. Additionally, with the increasing attendance at age-segregated services, including preschools and care homes, traditional places and opportunities for age groups …

Discovering Child Sexual Abuse Material Creators’ Behaviors And Preferences On The Dark Web, Vuong Ngo, Rahul Gajula, Christina Thorpe, Susan Mckeever

Articles

Background: Producing, distributing or discussing child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) is often committed through the dark web in order to remain hidden from search engines and regular users. Additionally, on the dark web, the CSAM creators employ various techniques to avoid detection and conceal their activities. The large volume of CSAM on the dark web presents a global social problem and poses a significant challenge for helplines, hotlines and law enforcement agencies.

Objective: Identifying CSAM discussions on the dark web and uncovering associated metadata insights into characteristics, behaviours and motivation of CSAM creators.

Participants and Setting: We have conducted an …

Visual Factors Associated With Physical Activity In Schoolchildren, Síofra Harrington, John Kearney Prof, Veronica O'Dwyer Dr

Articles

Clinical relevance Physical activity is an essential part of childhood physical and mental development. Recent research identified visual problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle in children in Ireland.

Background This study explored the association between visual function in children and their engagement with physical activities outside school.

Methods Participants were 1,626 schoolchildren (728 aged 6–7 years, 898 old 12–13 years) in randomly selected schools in Ireland. Before data collection, parents/legal guardians of participants completed a standardised questionnaire reporting physical activity as no activity (mostly on screens), light activity (occasional walking/cycling), moderate activity (/week engaged in sports), or regular activity ( …

Childminding Professionalism And Professionalisation In Ireland: A Different Story, Miriam O'Regan, Ann Marie Halpenny, Noirin Hayes

Articles

This research focussed on documenting the praxis and paedagogy of paid, professional childminding (family childcare/day care) in Ireland. It explored professionalism and professionalisation among childminders in the context of the evolving understanding of professionalism in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) nationally and internationally. The research was conducted within the framework of Ecocultural Theory (ECT) on the eve of mandatory regulation of childminding against the backdrop of Irish ECEC policy. A mixed method approach was adopted, using the Ecocultural Family Interview for Childminders (EFICh), including participants’ photographs, case study surveys, researcher field notes and holistic ratings. We present findings related …

Intergenerational Learning As A Pedagogical Strategy In Early Childhood Education Services: Perspectives From An Irish Study, Anne Fitzpatrick, Ann Marie Halpenny

Articles

This study investigated the concept, role and potential of intergenerational learning (IGL) as a pedagogical strategy in five Irish early childhood education (ECE) services, through exploring the perspectives on IGL of educators (5), children (70) and their parents (43). Informed by socio-cultural theories of learning and aligned to key principles of IGL, a qualitative methodological approach was adopted. Data was gathered using semi-structured interviews with educators, ‘draw and talk’ strategies with children and informal written feedback with parents. Key findings demonstrated that children’s happiness, socio-emotional competences and executive functions, all key elements of successful learning and living, were strongly supported …

Early Childhood Education And Care Provision Through The Medium Of The Irish Language, Maire Mhic Mhathuna, Mairéad Mac Con Iomaire

Books/Book Chapters

This chapter will give an overview of the history of naíonraí or Irish-medium preschool settings in Gaeltacht1 and non-Gaeltacht areas from their beginnings in the 1960s to date. The material for this chapter is based on desk research, interviews with the founding member of the naíonra movement and the personal involvement of the chapter authors. The rationale for establishing naíonraí will be described and the role of the pioneers who led the movement in the 1970s and 1980s will be analysed in light of their principles and philosophy. These principles are visible in the structures they set up to manage …

The History And Work Of The Centre For Early Childhood Development And Education (Cecde) (2001-2008), Elizabeth Dunphy Dr, Maire Mhic Mhathuna

Articles

Growing international interest in ECEC policy in the 1990s resulted in increasing awareness of its significance for education policy in Ireland. Arising from this, in 1999, Ready to Learn: A White Paper for Early Childhood Education was published. This led to the establishment of the Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education (CECDE). This chapter charts in chronological order the history and work of the CECDE from its inception in 2001 until its closure in 2008. It documents the governance, structures, strategic direction and management of the Centre. It foregrounds the outputs of the Centre including research reports, international conferences …

Why Parents Chose To Send Their Children To Irish-Medium Immersion Preschools: Learning From Parental Choice Strategies In Celtic Countries, Maire Mhic Mhathuna, Fiona Nic Fhionnlaoich

Articles

This study investigated the reasons Irish parents chose to send their children to Irish-medium preschools settings over other forms of early childhood education. The international literature on parental decision making regarding childcare and relevant studies on immersion education in Celtic countries were reviewed. A parental questionnaire, informed by this literature, was distributed through selected immersion settings in Ireland. Social and cognitive development were the main reasons parents cited in regard to early childhood education and an interest in the Irish language and bilingualism along with the good reputation of the immersion preschool were the reasons they chose immersion preschooling. Comparisons …

Care For Some Lunch? It’S More Than Just Food! Care, Commensality And Pedagogic Meals In Irish Primary Schools, Caroline Mcgowan

Level 3

This expository article addresses a lacuna in policy and practice literature around using primary school lunches as both a pedagogical opportunity and a space to expose children to social and cultural ‘rituals’ that model both care and food sharing as commensality. The article argues that policy literature in this space broadly tends to be concerned with a medicalised paradigm of nutrition, physical and cognitive development, and disease prevention, with scant regard for the impact that natural ‘everyday’ practices of eating and caring can have on enhancing encultured commensality, care and learning.

Intergenerational Learning: An Exploratory Study Of The Concept, Role And Potential Of Intergenerational Learning (Igl) As A Pedagogical Strategy In Irish Early Childhood Education (Ece) Services, Anne Fitzpatrick

Doctoral

This study investigates the concept, role and potential of intergenerational learning (IGL) as a pedagogical strategy in Irish early childhood education (ECE) services. It explores the perspectives on IGL of educators(5), children(70) and their parents(43) in five Irish ECE services in city, town and suburban locations. The theoretical and conceptual framework was informed by socio-cultural theories of learning aligned to key principles of IGL. A qualitative methodological approach was adopted to access these perspectives.Specifically, the methods used to gather data were semi-structured interviews with educators, draw and talk strategies with children and informal written feedback with parents. Educators played a …

'It All Depends … ' A Real Life Learning Model Informing Childminding Pedagogy In Ireland, Miriam O'Regan, Ann Marie Halpenny, Noirin Hayes

Articles

This doctoral research addressed the dearth of research focussed on childminding in Ireland, despite its significant role in national childcare provision. One overarching aim was to explore childminders’ pedagogy. The research was conducted within the theoretical framework of Ecocultural Theory (ECT) against the backdrop of Irish Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) policy on the eve of mandatory regulation of childminding. A mixed method approach was adopted, using the Ecocultural Family Interview for Childminders (EFICh) , including participants’ photographs, a case study survey, researcher field notes and holistic ratings. (Tonyan, Holli A. 2017. “Opportunities to Practice What Is Locally Valued: …

It All Depends … ’ A Real Life Learning Model Informing Childminding Pedagogy In Ireland, Miriam O'Regan, Ann Marie Halpenny, Noirin Hayes

Articles

This doctoral research addressed the dearth of research focussed on childminding in Ireland, despite its significant role in national childcare provision. One overarching aim was to explore childminders’ pedagogy. The research was conducted within the theoretical framework of Ecocultural Theory (ECT) against the backdrop of Irish Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) policy on the eve of mandatory regulation of childminding. A mixed method approach was adopted, using the Ecocultural Family Interview for Childminders (EFICh) , including participants’ photographs, a case study survey, researcher field notes and holistic ratings. The research documents a previously unidentified cultural model of pedagogy among …

Parents' Experiences Of A Language-Focused Home Visiting Scheme In Ireland, Aisling Ni Dhiorbhain Dr, Maire Mhic Mhathuna, Padraig Ó Duibhir Dr

Articles

This article reports parents’ experiences of the Tús Maith (Good Start) home visiting scheme in South-West Ireland. The goal of Tús Maith is to support parents who wish to speak Irish to their children at home in the Kerry Gaeltacht, an Irish-speaking heartland area. Home visitors spend an hour a week, over a period of six weeks, interacting with children and parents with varying levels of competency in Irish. Home visitors who are native speakers of Irish, offer individualised guidance on how to promote the use of Irish as a home language, while encouraging families to engage in activities …

Childminders’ Close Relationship Model Of Praxis: An Ecocultural Study In Ireland, Miriam O'Regan, Ann Marie Halpenny, Nóirín Hayes

Articles

The present study seeks to address the dearth of research focussed on childminding (family day care or family childcare) in Ireland, despite its significant role in national childcare provision. One overarching aim was to explore childminders’ cultural models of praxis and pedagogy in the Irish context. The research was conducted within the theoretical framework of Ecocultural Theory (ECT) (Weisner, 2002. “Ecocultural Understanding of Children’s Developmental Pathways.” Human Development 1759: 275–281), referencing concepts in Attachment Theory, in the context of historical and current policy in Ireland, Europe and the US over the last 30 years. A mixed method approach was adopted …

Childminding In Ireland: Attitudes Towards Professionalisation, Miriam O'Regan, Ann Marie Halpenny, Noirin Hayes

Articles

In light of rapid changes in the early years sector in Ireland since 2000, questions arise about the professionalism of childminders (family day carers), the vast majority of whom are exempt from regulation. Fewer than 0.1% (<120) of childminders are registered with Tusla, the national regulator, despite the National Childminding Initiative, (NCMI) which has promoted professional, high quality childminding. To investigate current attitudes to NCMI’s process of professionalisation (Brannen and Moss [2003]), among childminders and parents, a cross-sectional study was designed using a mixed-method approach. Specifically an anonymous online survey was conducted with 325 participants, followed by a qualitative World Café forum for 40 members of Childminding Ireland, the national childminding body. Findings from both phases of research revealed many of these childminders were well-qualified and engaged, with a sense of professional identity, seeking a distinctive approach to support childminding. Moreover, both childminder and parent participants value the distinctive characteristics of childminding – close relationships, a nurturing pedagogy, a rich, home environment – to a greater extent than markers of professionalism. These findings call for an innovative approach to childminding in Ireland, one that facilitates an organic development of agentic, professional childminding as part of a competent ECEC system.

Gender Representation In Children’S Books: Case Of An Early Childhood Setting, Katarina Filipovic

Articles

The purpose of this small-scale case study was to identify and analyze key patterns in terms of gender representation in children’s books in one early childhood setting. Furthermore, this case study sought to understand the perspectives of early childhood educators on gender representation in children’s books. The researcher employed multiple methods of data collection, including content analysis of 15 children’s books, as well as reflective journal writing and professional conversation between eight educators from one early childhood center in Dublin, Ireland. Content analysis of children’s books revealed distinct gender patterns that include underrepresentation of female characters and instances of gender …

Nurturing ‘Buds Of Development’: From Outcomes To Opportunities In Early Childhood Practice, Noirin Hayes, Katarina Filipovic

Articles

The current future-focused, outcomes driven early childhood policy climate presents a danger that early years pedagogy will lose sight of the ‘present’ child. Increasingly policy support for early childhood education is built around an emphasis on preparing children for school and positioning it as a key element in enhancing society through preparing future citizens to become productive members of society. The measurable outcomes discourse, in emphasising product, renders invisible the critical contribution of the processes of everyday practice to children’s development. To challenge and counteract the strong outcome discourse early years professionals must have confidence in their pedagogy. However, research …

Reflections On A Language Planning Project In Context, Maire Mhic Mhathuna, Cathy Kelleher

Articles

The aim of this paper is to reflect in broad terms on issues which arose in the context of an early years language planning project in Irish-medium preschools (naíonraí) in the Irish-speaking (Gaeltacht) areas of the west of Ireland. Borradh Language Planning Project was commissioned in 2009 to provide guidance and planning templates for early years educators to develop the Irish language competency of children in their early years groups. Due to the changing language ecology of the Gaeltacht areas, many families now raise their children through both Irish and English and children enter the early years services with differing …

Process Evaluation Of Abc Grangegorman 2015-2017., Sarah Murphy

Programme Reports

ABC Grangegorman: Vision Against Poverty was aimed at improving outcomes for 0-6 children and their families in the Grangegorman area that are experiencing poverty. The programme was delivered by a consortium of 27 organisations from the area and led by the DIT Access and Civic Engagement Office. Consortium organisations included local schools, pre-schools, crèches, community organisations, as well as statutory agencies including HSE, Tusla and the City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB). ABC Grangegorman consisted of nine programmes, which included:  Six interventions: Four Incredible Years (IY) programmes: IY Baby, IY Basic Parenting, IY Teacher Classroom Management, and …

An Examination Of Concepts Of School Readiness Among Parents And Educators In Ireland, Maire Mhic Mhathuna, Emer Ring, Noirin Hayes, Patsy Stafford, Siobhan Keegan, Cathy Kelleher, Martina Ozonyia, Mary Moloney, Deirdre Breathnach, Des Carswell, Des Mccafferty, Anne O'Keefe, Aisling Leavy, Ruth Madden

Reports

The Department of Children and Youth Affairs commissioned research through the Irish Research Council (IRC) to examine concepts of school readiness as they are understood by early years educators and managers, primary school principals, junior infant teachers and parents of children participating in the first Free Preschool Year in Ireland. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, involving interviews, an online survey and “draw and tell” sessions with children. Representative samples of FPSY settings and primary schools were selected and an online survey based on the findings of the qualitative phase was sent to 500 pre-primary settings and 500 primary schools. In …

Educational Buildings As Educational Buildings: Can Sustainable Architecture Help Support Sustainability In The Curriculum?, Claire Speedie, Mark Mulville

Conference papers

This paper explores whether the architectural design of educational buildings - by incorporating an expression of the sustainable design - helps to educate users towards adoption of sustainable practices. Utilising observational studies from primary schools incorporating sustainable design measures, the research explored their impact on the curriculum.

School buildings accommodate the educational process but design briefs do not require that buildings educate their users. The paper demonstrated that sustainable features of the buildings were not well integrated into the curriculum and that one explanation was the lack of interpretation incorporated into the architecture to support teachers lacking an appreciation of …

Listen Up: Reflections On The Cdi And Hse Speech And Language Services In Tallaght West: Chit Chat, Noirin Hayes, Judy Irwin

Reports

No abstract provided.

Listen Up: Reflections On The Cdi And Hse Speech And Language Services In Tallaght West: Early Intervention, Speech And Language, Noirin Hayes, Judy Irwin

Reports

The early intervention approach described in this report, which was developed by CDI and evaluated by Dr. Noirin Hayes and Judy Irwin, engages both parents and teachers in a meaningful partnership via a three-pronged approach, whereby the therapist works with the child and the parent/carer and the Early Years practitioner or teacher.We have long recognised in other domains, such as health promotion and youth crime prevention, that no single agency or discipline can fully resolve difficulties and this learning has been integrated here to inform an innovative and effective model that brings added value, minimises stigma and employs an early …

Pleanail Curaclam Agus Teanga Sa Naionra, Maire Mhic Mhathuna, Jacqui De Siun

Books/Book chapters

Is gá don bhainisteoir cur chuige oiriúnach a aimsiú agus tabhairt faoi go tuisceanach eolasach chun bunaidhmeanna an naíonra, is iad sin forbairt iomlán an linbh agus sealbhú na Gaeilge, a bhaint amach. Is dlúthchuid den chur chuige sin an phleanáil teanga. Éireoidh níos fearr le sealbhú na Gaeilge má bhíonn sé pleanáilte roimh ré, ar bhonn atá céimithe ach atá scaoilte ag an am céanna. Beidh an stiúrthóir in ann an phleanáil a bhunú ar an aithne atá aici ar na páistí agus ar a gcuid spéiseanna, ar a cuid eolas ar na réimsí gníomhaíochtaí atá oiriúnach do pháistí …

Ag Aistriú Ón Naíonra Chun Na Gaelscoile: Beartas Oideachais Teanga, Maire Mhic Mhathuna, Fiona Nic Fhionnlaoich

Conference papers

Díreofar sa pháipéar seo ar na bunchoincheapanna a bhaineann le haistriú ó shuíomh luath-óige go dtí an bhunscoil agus ar tionscnamh, “An Traein: Ag Aistriú ón Naíonra go dtí an Ghaelscoil”. Tabharfar breac-chuntas ar an méid a foghlaimíodh ón tionscnamh. Léireofar roinnt de na rudaí a d'aithin na rannpháirtithe mar shampla an tábhacht a bhaineann le cumarsáid agus aistriú eolais i dtaobh na bpáistí féin (le cead na dtuismitheoirí/caomhnóirí) agus i dtaobh an tsaghais Gaeilge a bhí á sealbhú ag na páistí. An méid a foghlaimíodh ón taighde seo agus na himpleachtaí a bhaineann léi, cuirfear sin i gcomparáid …

Study On The Effective Use Of Early Childhood Education And Care In Preventing Early School Leaving: Final Report, Rimantas Dumclus, Jan Peeters, Noirin Hayes, Georges Van Landeghem, Hanna Siarova, Laura Peciukonyte, Ivana Ceneric, Hester Hulpia

Reports

No abstract provided.

Healthy Incentive Scheme In The Irish Full-Day-Care Pre-School Setting, Charlotte Johnston Molloy, John Kearney, Noirin Hayes, Corinna Glennon Slattery, Clare Corish

Conference Papers

A pre-school offering a full-day-care service provides for children aged 0-5 years for more than 4 hid. Researchers have called for studies that will provide an understanding of nutrition and physical activity practices in this setting. Obesity prevention in pre-schools, through the development of healthy associations with food and health-related practices, has been advocated. While guidelines for the promotion of best nutrition and health-related practice in the early years' setting exist in a number of jurisdictions, associated regulations have been noted to be poor, with the environment of the child-care facility mainly evaluated for safety. Much cross-sectional research outlines poor …

Evaluation Of The Early Years Programme Of The Childhood Development Initiative: Early Childhood Care And Education, Noirin Hayes, Iram Siraj-Blatchford, Siobhán Keegan, Eimer Goulding

Reports

No abstract provided.

Litriocht Na Nog Sna Naionrai: Na Luathbhlianta, Maire Mhic Mhathuna, Mairead Mac Con Iomaire

Books/Book chapters

Déanfar cur síos san aiste seo ar bhunú agus ar fhorbairt samhail nua luathoideachais, mar atá na naíonraí, a chuireann oideachas luathóige ar fáil do pháistí óga trí Ghaeilge. Rianófar na cúiseanna a bhain le bunú na naíonraí, cúlra agus ról na gceannródaithe a bhí páirteach sa ghluaiseacht le linn na 1970í agus 1980í, an saghas litríochta do pháistí a bhí ar fáil ag an am agus na moltaí a bhí á gcur chun cinn faoi conas an litríocht sin a úsáid sna naíonraí.

The Child Snapshot: A Tool For The Transfer Of Information On Children From Preschool To Primary School, Mary O'Kane, Noirin Hayes

Articles

The research outlined in this paper is part of a larger research study undertaken in Ireland by the Centre for Social and Educational Research, at Technological University Dubin, funded by the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (O'Kane & Hayes, 2010). The project involved a cluster of two designated disadvantaged primary schools and twelvefeeder preschools, with a specific focus on developing processes for communication and collaboration between the two educational settings. The Bioecological Systems Model (Bronfenbrenner & Morris, 1998) was the primary theoretical basis underpinning the project, given it's acknowledgement of the shared systems of all the …