Research Around the World

This week I researched the European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA). The organization’s journal EECERJ is one of only four early years journals indexed by the Institute for Scientific Information.

I explored the journal’s latest issue and found some interesting topics such as how does introducing integrated service models of early childhood education in New Zealand effect families’ engagement in their children’s needs and aspirations.

Another study is on Finland’s pre-school curricula, using qualitative content analysis, the authors examine five written curricula between 1972 and 2000 and analyze how are the curricula written and how are they changed?   

Also in the issue is a comparison study between Greek and Cypriot pre-service kindergarten teachers about the relationship between self-reported beliefs and self-reported intentions concerning the importance of teacher–child interactions and the relationship between them.

I also explored a tab titled special issues. According to the website, each yearly volume of the association’s journal (EECERJ) comprises four issues. At least one per year is special issue which usually includes nine papers and an editorial focused on an aspect of early childhood.

The latest issue was rather interesting. Ironically, it was titled “children’s perspectives and participation in research”. Some topics were:  

·         Introducing children's perspectives and participation in research

·         Hearing voices: participatory research with preschool children with and without disabilities

·         Breaking methodological boundaries? Exploring visual, participatory methods with adults and young children

However, the underlying philosophy of all articles in that special issue is that “all young children have the competence to engage in research as sophisticated thinkers and communicators and that the inclusion of children's views are pivotal if we are to understand their life worlds” (EECERA, 2012).

After exploring the EECERA’s website, I realized the similarities shared amongst all early childhood professionals regardless of where they are in the world. We are all seeking a better understanding of children and searching for the best practices to reach them and serve them.

References

European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA). (2012). Retrieved from http://www.eecera.org/