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Early Years Studies, Edward Melhuish Jan 2010

Early Years Studies, Edward Melhuish

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Keynote address at the MRC Population Health Sciences Research Network/MRC Methodology Research Panel Workshop, 21 January 2010, London, United Kingdom


Early Coital Debut And Associated Hiv Risk Factors Among Young Women And Men In South Africa, Audrey Pettifor, Katie O'Brien, Catherine L. Mac Phail, William Miller, Helen Rees Jan 2009

Early Coital Debut And Associated Hiv Risk Factors Among Young Women And Men In South Africa, Audrey Pettifor, Katie O'Brien, Catherine L. Mac Phail, William Miller, Helen Rees

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

CONTEXT Young people in South Africa are at high risk of HIV infection. Because first sexual experiences may influence a young person's HIV risk, a better understanding of coital debut is needed. METHODS Data from a nationally representative survey that included 7,692 sexually active South African youth aged 15-24 were used to assess characteristics related to sexual debut and to respondents' first sexual partner. Poisson regression analyses were conducted to identify relationships among these characteristics and partner age differences, early coital debut (i.e., before age 15), forced sex with one's first partner and nonuse of condoms at first sex. RESULTS …


Conceptualising Progression In The Pedagogy Of Play And Sustained Shared Thinking In Early Childhood Education: A Vygotskian Perspective, Iram Siraj-Blatchford Jan 2009

Conceptualising Progression In The Pedagogy Of Play And Sustained Shared Thinking In Early Childhood Education: A Vygotskian Perspective, Iram Siraj-Blatchford

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

This paper is concerned specifically with the pedagogies applied in supporting learning through children‟s play, and it is framed outside mainstream discourses on the nature of play. The development of the paper also represents one stage in a continuing effort to develop a better understanding of sustained shared thinking in early childhood education. The paper also focuses on the educational potential of shared playful activities. However, given the overwhelming consensus regarding the importance of play in early childhood development, even a diehard educational pragmatist must begin by addressing subjects that are most commonly considered by psychologists. The paper begins with …


Influencing Policy And Practice Through Research On Early Childhood Education, Brenda Taggart, Iram Siraj-Blatchford, Kathy Sylva, Edward Melhuish, Pam Sammons Jan 2008

Influencing Policy And Practice Through Research On Early Childhood Education, Brenda Taggart, Iram Siraj-Blatchford, Kathy Sylva, Edward Melhuish, Pam Sammons

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

This paper presents the scientific evidence from one study that has informed Early Years policy in the U.K. It begins with a description of the policy context in the early 1990s and shows how research was used to inform a decade of policy innovation. There have been many studies of ways that research has informed practice but fewer on instances of research shaping policy. This paper is one step in that direction, as advocated by Whitty (2007) and Huw, Nutley and Smith (2001).


Understanding The Relationship Between Curriculum, Pedagogy And Progression In Learning In Early Childhood, Iram Siraj-Blatchford Jan 2008

Understanding The Relationship Between Curriculum, Pedagogy And Progression In Learning In Early Childhood, Iram Siraj-Blatchford

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

This paper provides mutually reinforcing definitions for the terms 'Curriculum' and 'Pedagogy' are applied in an attempt to provide further clarification of the learning processes involved in 'Co-construction' and 'Sustained Shared Thinking'. The implications for pedagogic progression and for understanding early childhood practices are also identified. The theoretical model is then applied in support of the English Early Years Foundation Stage against charges of inappropriate 'schoolification '. The paper also provides in outline a new typology of early childhood educational practices.


Promoting Equality In The Early Years: Report To The Equalities Review, Kathy Sylva, Edward Melhuish, Pam Sammons, Iram Siraj-Blatchford, Brenda Taggart Jan 2007

Promoting Equality In The Early Years: Report To The Equalities Review, Kathy Sylva, Edward Melhuish, Pam Sammons, Iram Siraj-Blatchford, Brenda Taggart

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

In March 2006 the Effective Pre-school and Primary Education Project (EPPE 3-11) team were asked to give evidence on 'Associations between the Pre-School, Home Learning Environment (HLE), Family SES, Ethnicity, Gender and SEN status of children and their attainment at age 7 years' to The Equalities Review team to help inform the consultation paper being prepared for the Cabinet Office. The EPPE team were subsequently commissioned to provide further evidence on equality and inequality in early years education and care. This report to The Equalities Review Team provides an evidential base for practical recommendations that can enhance the life chances …


Effects Of Sure Start Local Programmes On Children And Families: Early Findings From A Quasi-Experimental, Cross Sectional Study, Jay Belsky, Edward Melhuish, Jacqueline Barnes, Alastair H. Leyland, Helena Romaniuk Jan 2006

Effects Of Sure Start Local Programmes On Children And Families: Early Findings From A Quasi-Experimental, Cross Sectional Study, Jay Belsky, Edward Melhuish, Jacqueline Barnes, Alastair H. Leyland, Helena Romaniuk

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Objective To evaluate the effects of Sure Start local programmes (SSLPs) on children and their families. To assess whether variations in the effectiveness of SSLPs are due to differences in implementation. Design Quasi-experimental cross sectional study using interviews with mothers and cognitive assessment of children aged 36 months who speak English. Setting Socially deprived communities in England: 150 communities with ongoing SSLPs and 50 comparison communities. Participants Mothers of 12 575 children aged 9 months and 3927 children aged 36 months in SSLP areas; mothers of 1509 children aged 9 months and 1101 children aged 36 months in comparison communities. …


Exploring The Early Expectations And Ambitions Of First Generation Female Students Within An Australian University, Sarah Elizabeth O'Shea Jan 2006

Exploring The Early Expectations And Ambitions Of First Generation Female Students Within An Australian University, Sarah Elizabeth O'Shea

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

No abstract provided.


Identifying And Monitoring Changes In Special Educational Needs In The Early Years, Karen Hanna, Edward Melhuish, Louise Quinn, Kathy Sylva, Iram Siraj-Blatchford, Pam Sammons, Brenda Taggart Jan 2005

Identifying And Monitoring Changes In Special Educational Needs In The Early Years, Karen Hanna, Edward Melhuish, Louise Quinn, Kathy Sylva, Iram Siraj-Blatchford, Pam Sammons, Brenda Taggart

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

This longitudinal study assesses the attainment and development of children followed from the age of 3 until the end of Key Stage 1 (age 8). Over 700 children were recruited to the study during 1998 and 1999 from 80 pre-school centres in Northern Ireland. Both qualitative and quantitative methods are used to explore the effects of pre-school experience on children's cognitive attainment and social/behavioural development at entry to school and any continuing effects on such outcomes up to 8 years of age. In addition to the effects of pre-school experience, the study investigates the contribution to children's development of individual …


A Literature Review Of The Impact Of Early Years Provision On Young Children, With Emphasis Given To Children From Disadvantaged Backgrounds, Edward Melhuish Jan 2004

A Literature Review Of The Impact Of Early Years Provision On Young Children, With Emphasis Given To Children From Disadvantaged Backgrounds, Edward Melhuish

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

This report reviews international research on the impact of early years provision upon young children. Emphasis is given to work related to disadvantaged children. The issues of timing, duration, type, quality and quantity of early years provision are considered in terms of developmental effects upon children and when possible parents. An evaluative summary of the literature on cost benefit analyses of early years provision is also included. Conclusions tempered by the relative rigour and extensiveness of the evidence are produced. Early research was primarily concerned with whether children attending institutions developed differently from those not attending such centres. Later work …


Ibm Kidsmart Early Learning Programme European Evaluation, John Siraj-Blatchford, Iram Siraj-Blatchford Jan 2004

Ibm Kidsmart Early Learning Programme European Evaluation, John Siraj-Blatchford, Iram Siraj-Blatchford

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have become essential tools in modern life and their use in education is increasing rapidly at all levels. It is only recently, however, that they have been introduced more widely to children of pre-school age and one very important reason for this is to prepare them for their future lives in the knowledge society. In Europe there is a growing awareness that the foundation for technological literacy, life-long learning and creativity should be laid in the earliest years of a child's education. The pre-school education sector is still, however, at a very early stage of …


Case Studies Of Early Years Settings, Louise Quinn, Karen Hanna, Edward Melhuish, Iram Siraj-Blatchford, Brenda Taggart, Kathy Sylva, Pam Sammons, Gillian Donnelly Jan 2004

Case Studies Of Early Years Settings, Louise Quinn, Karen Hanna, Edward Melhuish, Iram Siraj-Blatchford, Brenda Taggart, Kathy Sylva, Pam Sammons, Gillian Donnelly

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

This longitudinal study assesses the attainment and development of children followed from the age of 3 until the end of Key Stage 1. Over 700 children were recruited to the study during 1998 and 1999 from 80 pre-school centres in Northern Ireland. Both qualitative and quantitative methods are used to explore the effects of pre-school experience on children's cognitive attainment and social/behavioural development at entry to school and any continuing effects on such outcomes up to 8 years of age. In addition to the effects of pre-school experience, the study investigates the contribution to children's development of individual and family …


Six Words Of Writing, Many Layers Of Significance : An Examination Of Writing As Social Practice In An Early Grade Classroom, Pauline Harris, Philip Fitzsimmons, Barbra Mckenzie Jan 2004

Six Words Of Writing, Many Layers Of Significance : An Examination Of Writing As Social Practice In An Early Grade Classroom, Pauline Harris, Philip Fitzsimmons, Barbra Mckenzie

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

This paper explores a six-year-old child's text that he wrote at school. We explore this text in order to demonstrate how even a simple text embodies many complex aspects of writing. These aspects include how writers represent texts, compose meaning, achieve social purposes, and position readers. We more deeply examine these aspects of writing practices in terms of contexts of situation and culture in which a child writes. In this examination, we consider how a child's experiences, predispositions and resources form a significant part of their classroom writing context.


Where Is The Story?: Intertextual Reflections On Literary Research And Practices In The Early School Years, Pauline Harris, Jillian Trezise, W N. Winser Jan 2004

Where Is The Story?: Intertextual Reflections On Literary Research And Practices In The Early School Years, Pauline Harris, Jillian Trezise, W N. Winser

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The authors gave the following talk at the 2003 NCTE Annual Convention in San Francisco upon receiving the Alan C. Purves Award, presented to the RTE article from the previous year's volume judged most likely to have an impact on classroom practice. Writing as lead author, Pauline Harris traces the history of her interest in children's intertextuality through her life as a classroom teacher, her doctoral studies in the Bay Area, and her recent work with colleagues Jillian Trezise and W. N. Winser in Australia. As they describe the impetus behind their award-winning article and suggest directions for future research, …


The Effective Provision Of Pre-School Education (Eppe) Project: Findings From The Early Primary Years, Kathy Sylva, Edward Melhuish, Pam Sammons, Iram Siraj-Blatchford, Brenda Taggart Jan 2004

The Effective Provision Of Pre-School Education (Eppe) Project: Findings From The Early Primary Years, Kathy Sylva, Edward Melhuish, Pam Sammons, Iram Siraj-Blatchford, Brenda Taggart

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

This brief focuses on the main findings related to pre-school effects on children's development up to age 7.


"Is The Story On My Face?": Intertextural Conflicts During Teacher-Class Interactions Around Texts In Early Grade Classrooms, Pauline Harris, Jillian Trezise, W N. Winser Jan 2002

"Is The Story On My Face?": Intertextural Conflicts During Teacher-Class Interactions Around Texts In Early Grade Classrooms, Pauline Harris, Jillian Trezise, W N. Winser

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

This paper reports on a three-year naturalistic inquiry into intertextuality in early grade classrooms. Specifically, the paper focuses on intertextual conflicts during teacher-class interactions where teachers are reading and modeling texts as well as guiding children to read and talk about text content, purposes, genres, and structures. These conflicts are identified and examined within a conceptual framework that accounts for intertextuality in terms of written texts, lived experiences, lessons, and processes in individuals. In exploring these conflicts, the study reveals that intertextuality in classrooms is not a systematic business. Rather, intertextuality can take on many guises in classroom interactions around …


Learning Through Making In The Early Years, John Siraj-Blatchford, Iram Siraj-Blatchford Jan 1998

Learning Through Making In The Early Years, John Siraj-Blatchford, Iram Siraj-Blatchford

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Fifty four five-year-old children in three London Primary Schools were tested using the British Ability Scales. Every 'product' of the children's construction work for the term was photographed. Three intervention groups were withdrawn from their classroom for one hour per week for focused instruction. 'Access only' groups were also withdrawn but were not provided with instruction. The children in the second control group received no additional experience of making beyond that normally provided in the classroom. A total of 450 products were constructed by the children during the intervention phase and each has been categorised from an analysis of the …


Criteria For Determining Quality In Early Learning For 3-6 Year-Olds, Iram Siraj-Blatchford Jan 1998

Criteria For Determining Quality In Early Learning For 3-6 Year-Olds, Iram Siraj-Blatchford

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

This book is about extending good practice in curriculum development and supporting and sustaining the positive practices that characterise many early childhood settings. The curriculum cannot be seen in isolation and it cannot exist without a strong and well-developed framework of support, the social and institutional context in which curriculum 'happens'. To develop and deliver a sound curriculum the staff must be well informed about child development and culture and about subject knowledge and appropriate ways of 'teaching' young children so that all the children in their setting can access the curriculum. Time needs to be spent developing shared perspectives …


Nourish And Nurture: World Food Programme Assistance For Early Childhood Education In India's Integrated Child Development Service, Iram Siraj-Blatchford Jan 1995

Nourish And Nurture: World Food Programme Assistance For Early Childhood Education In India's Integrated Child Development Service, Iram Siraj-Blatchford

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Part of UNESCO's Action Research in Family and Early Childhood series, this monograph is based upon a technical report on the Early Childhood Education (ECE) component of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program in India. This document overviews the ICDS and how better use could be made of World Food Programme (WFP) food aid along with the ECE component, including the aspect of providing education to mothers and adolescent girls. The report notes that the WFP has provided support to ICDS since March 1976; the other main donor supporting ICDS is the American organization, CARE. Also noted is India's …


Effective Teaching In The Early Years: Fostering Children's Learning In Nurseries And In Infant Classes, Tricia David, Audrey Curtis, Iram Siraj-Blatchford Jan 1992

Effective Teaching In The Early Years: Fostering Children's Learning In Nurseries And In Infant Classes, Tricia David, Audrey Curtis, Iram Siraj-Blatchford

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

This report will consider three questions:- what do we know about how young children learn? • what do we know about life in early years classrooms and schools? • do we have a vision for the future, and how should early years teachers be educated and trained in order that they provide excellent education for all?