Learning journeys from early childhood into school

Project Description

This project is working with two early childhood services and two schools to investigate ways of enhancing children’s learning journeys from early childhood education into school, and to explore the impact of transition practices over time.  The research is located in two different communities: one where there is an established ECE/ school partnership and one where the relationships will be developed through the project.

Aims

This project aims to address some of the current gaps in understanding regarding the transition to school, and the impact of transition practices on children’s learning. The study will explore a number of broad themes. These include:

1. Considering ways in which children’s learning journeys might be enhanced as they move from early childhood education into school.
2. Working with Maori whanau to explore what a successful transition might look like for Maori children and their families, and to develop strategies to enhance the transition to school for Maori children.
3. Exploring the alignment between the ECE and school curricula, in particular looking at children’s working theories, learning dispositions and key competencies, and the ways in which shared cross-sector understandings of these might support children’s learning as they move from ECE to school.
4. Within the curriculum focus, also examining how key competencies in the New Zealand Curriculum are enacted in different communities, given their contextual nature and the influence of cultural norms.
5. Exploring ways in which reciprocal and respectful relationships between sectors can be established and maintained in order to build and strengthen a bridge between sectors so that children’s learning is supported.
6. Taking a longitudinal approach to consider the possible longer-term implications for children of the transition practices undertaken in their early childhood and school settings.

Why is this research important?

An ‘effective’ or ‘successful’ transition to school is often claimed to be an important aspect of longer-term success as a learner. However, it is important to interrogate what is meant by success, how different transition partners view success, and how it might be measured. In addition, while a number of recent projects have developed strategies for developing cross-sector understandings and supporting children’s transition to school, this project will provide new insights by exploring the impact on children’s learning in the longer term.

Data

The project will begin by mapping the current picture in each setting through a combination of interviews and observations. A survey of parents/ caregivers, teachers and community stakeholders will be used to evaluate the current transition practices and seek input into understanding transition issues and children’s learning journeys. Interviews with selected participants (adults and children) will be used to expand on the survey and gather further detail.
Throughout the project there will be ongoing action research cycles exploring transition initiatives in each setting. Detailed case studies of children and their families will be undertaken to explore their experiences as they make the transition to school, and to consider the possible longer-term implications for children of the transition practices undertaken in their early childhood and school settings. The study will conclude with a final survey of parents/ caregivers, other teachers and stakeholders, and final interviews with key teachers.

Analysis

Views about ‘successful’ transitions, key learning, and the links between the ECE and school curricula will be analysed to investigate the patterns both within and across different ethnic groups, and within and across different groups of participants (parents, teachers, children and other stakeholders). This will include inductive and deductive approaches as we operate inductively from the data to explore emerging themes and new insights, but also interrogate data against existing theory.
Action research cycles will explore building ‘bridges’ between the sectors, the possible impact on the transition experiences and on children’s learning over time.
Analysis of the case studies will focus both on understanding the individual cases and the patterns and themes across the cases. These data, gathered over time, will also be evaluated against the criteria for success developed through the earlier analysis.  An ecological framework will be used to consider the learning journeys within the picture provided by the mapping features of each setting, and also take account of the broader policies which shape teachers’ work.

Project Outputs

2017

Peters, S. & Sandberg, G. (2017). Bridges, borderlands and rights of passage.  In N. Ballam, B. Perry & A. Garpelin (Eds.) POET - Pedagogies of Educational Transitions European and Antipodean research (pp.223-237). Dordrecht: Springer.

2015

Paki, V., & Peters, S. (2015). Exploring whakapapa (genealogy) as a cultural concept to mapping transition journeys, understanding what is happening and discovering new insights. Waikato Journal of Education, 20 (2), 49-60. doi:10.15663/wje.v20i2.205

Peters, S. & Paki, V. (2015). Diversity in the early years. In A. Macfarlane, S. Macfarlane & M. Webber (Eds.) Sociocutural realities: Exploring new horizons (pp.87-99). Canterbury, New Zealand: Canterbury University Press.

Peters, S. A. (2015). Dancers, designers and dinosaur catchers: Exploring effective pedagogies for young learners. In Talking Transition: Continuity of Learning. Conference held at Novotel, Grand Parade, Brighton Beach, Sydney, Australia

Peters, S. (2015). International dimensions of play and transitions. In J. Moyles (Ed.), The Excellence of Play (pp. 286-296). Maldenhead, Berkshire, England: Open University Press

Peters, S. A., & Roberts, J. (2015). Transitions from early childhood education to primary school. An Interview with Sally Peters. Set Research Information for Teachers, (2) pp. 3-8. doi:10.18296/set.0012

2014

Peters, S., & Dunlop, A. W. (2014). Editorial. Early Years, 34 (4) pp. 323-328. doi:10.1080/09575146.2014.982903 [Transitions special edition]

Peters, S. A. (2014). Transitions: Possibilities and challenges. New Zealand Educational Administration and Leadership Society (NZEALS) Canterbury.

Paki, V. (2014). Mapping transitions: A New Zealand perspective exploring whakapapa (geneology) as a tool to mapping transitions journeys, understanding what is happening, and discovering new insights. 24th European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA) Conference, Crete, Greece.

Peters, S. A., & Paki, V. (2014). “They've definitely come a long; long way”: The transformative possibilities of cross-sector collaboration. In 24th EECERA Annual Conference. Crete, Greece.

Peters, S. (2014). Chasms, bridges and borderlands: Transitions research 'across the border' from early childhood education to school in New Zealand. In B. Perry, S. Dockett, & A.

Petriwskyj (Eds.), Transitions to school - International Research, Policy and Practice (pp. 105-116). Springer.

Peters, S., Paki, V., & Davis, K. (2014). Strategies to support children's learning as they transition to school. Swings & Roundabouts (4) p. 19. Early Childhood Council.

Peters, S. (2014). Working together to support children's transition to school. In Swings and Roundabouts (4) p. 18. Early Childhood Council.

Peters, S. (2014). Children’s transitions experiences: Case studies from New Zealand. Keynote address at the One journey, many guides: Collaboration of pre, primary and after school teachers Transitions Conference. University of Iceland, September.

2013

Peters, S. A., Paki, V., Taylor, M., Davis, K., Brook-Watt, J., Carr-Neil, B., Spence, S. (2013). Enhancing children's transition learning journeys through collaborative early childhood and school relationships. In ULearn 13. Hamilton, New Zealand. Retrieved from http://eventadmin.core-ed.org/breakouts/view/ulearn13

Peters, S., & Paki, V. (2013). Te Whāriki: Weaving multiple perspectives on transitions. In J. Nuttall (Ed.), Weaving Te Whāriki: Aotearoa New Zealand's Early Childhood Curriculum Framework in Theory and Practice (2nd Edition) (pp. 197-215). Wellington, New Zealand: NZCER Press.

2012

Peters, S., & Paki, V. (2012) Rurea, taitea, kia toitu, ko taikaka anake – Strip away the bark, expose the heartwood, get to the heart of the matter: Examining pedagogical approaches and children’s learning journeys. Paper presented at the 22nd European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA) Annual Conference, Oporto, Portugal, August.

Paki, V. & Peters, S. (2012) 'Ko te Tangata - For the People': Blending Western and Māori understandings as a tool for considering transition research methodologies. Paper presented at the 22nd European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA) Annual Conference, Oporto, Portugal, August.

Peters, S. (2012). Negotiating the space between ECE and school so that children's learning journeys are supported. Keynote address to the Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa/NZ Childcare Association national conference, University of Otago, July.

2011

Peters, S. & Paki, V. (2011). Learning journeys from early childhood into school. Paper presented NZARE conference, December, Tauranga.