European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA): This international early childhood organization publishes a well respected journal. All back issues are accessible from this site and are fully searchable without charge.
http://www.eecera.org/
• What are some of the current international research topics?
Play seems to be one of the top current international research topics with research being done on outside play, nature-based play experiences, make believe play vs. academic skills, and how the context of play affects adult views of risk-taking behavior during outside play are just a few to name.
Early childhood policy is another current topic ranging from methodologies to pedagogy to curriculum to ethical concerns.
• What surprising facts/insights/new ideas about early childhood did you gain from exploring this international early childhood website?
There was an article about make believe play versus academic skills that explored Vygotskys’ idea that children can learn academic skills prior to school through make-believe play that is structured by adults. The article grabbed my attention because my research simulation has been focused on similar idea that play-based curriculums yield the same academic achievement as teacher-directed approaches to learning. I find it interesting that European nations are also debating the effects of teaching academic skills formerly at a younger age is not the best approach. I’m wondering if Europe and the United States are the only countries concerned with this issue or if this is a global debate.
I like that this international early childhood website allows you to search back issues although not all of them are free.
Another issue dealing with play that caught my attention was the number of research articles that dealt with outdoor or natural environments for play. Nature-based play curriculums are interesting to me because I grew up and live in a rural area. Much of my childhood was spent outdoors playing in the dirt with the rocks and sticks or playing in the barn and building forts with the hay bales. Building upon nature-based learning, I think may develop more scientific thinking if adults can help scaffold the learning that takes place.
• What other noteworthy information did you find on this website?
They provided links to other organizations that have the same goals and missions. The one link provided was to the Korean Institute of Child Care and Education. While exploring the link to Korean research, I found it interesting that there were very few research articles from 2010-2011. Most articles listed were from 2008-2009 and focused on the developing of early childhood programs, practices, and policies.
Maggie,
ReplyDeleteBoth articles dealing with play sound very interesting. I have attended a few workshops focused on connecting children to nature through creating outdoor play spaces that encourage children to explore nature. I thought the workshops were great.
Great that you can access the articles for free.
Great information!
Tamara
Hello Maggie
ReplyDeleteI agree that pretend play is the best way for young children to learn academics. Isn't it awesome to know that there is research available to factual support learning through play. Writing resources and cash registers with play money in the Dramatic Play center, help to develop writing skills and early math skills. And telephones foster language skills, product containers have letters of the alphabet on them and the list of benefits could go on and on about the power of play. The children are learning naturally when they engage in pretend play.
Thanks for sharing.