Learning about sustainability is now understood to be an important part of early childhood education. An important knowledge area associated with sustainability is biodiversity. Learning about biodiversity helps young children understand the importance of relationships between living and non-living things and local habitats. This type of knowledge is a ...

This issue of Early Childhood Folio ranges from a big-picture and readable review of the main debates within the literature about play in Western settings, to a small, qualitative, in-depth case study of a single child and the use of narrative inquiry to explore concepts of wellbeing and its link ...

This article discusses the perspectives and experiences of Chinese immigrant parents in New Zealand early childhood settings. The findings suggest that the parents’ behaviour is aimed at raising children with an understanding of both New Zealand and Chinese culture. A key feature of this bicultural development, however, is a disconnect ...

This is the first in a series of interviews with researchers whose work has made a difference in the area of early years education. Sarah Boyd interviews University
of Waikato Emeritus Professor Jane Ritchie.

Museums offer many opportunities for developing knowledge of the bicultural heritage of Aotearoa New Zealand. This article reports on research involving a kindergarten located in a national museum. It discusses children’s growing understanding of te ao Māori (the world of Māori) through their regular visits to the collections and exhibits ...

This article reviews the literature on the play-based curriculum, which is characterised by tension and debate. It aims to present the literature in a simplified and accessible way, suggesting it can be helpful to see it as falling into five debates over: (1) how much children learn through play; (2) ...

The Infants’ Lives in Childcare research project aims to investigate what life is like for infants in group care from the perspective of infants themselves. One outcome of the project is a greater appreciation of the extent to which preverbal infants strategically employ looking and listening-in behaviour in making meaning ...

Wellbeing is intricately connected with a strong sense of personal identity. This article reports on one study that explores wellbeing through narrative inquiry—a process that draws on the stories told by children, their teachers and their parents, along with the researcher’s analysis and interpretation. Beginning with a brief examination of ...

Te Whāriki has two learning outcomes: dispositions and working theories. The concept of dispositions has been developed much more fully, while working theories has tended to be the “neglected sibling”. This article aims to flesh out the concept of working theories, drawing on a range of sociocultural theories. It provides ...

Educational change in New Zealand has been a hot topic in 2012. We have faced cutbacks, closures, charter schools and league tables, not to mention the ‘rejuvenation and consolidation’ of Christchurch schools following the 2010/2011 earthquakes. A common reaction has been resistance—from teachers, principals, teacher unions, academics and, in the ...