LEARNING OBJECTIVES
In this chapter you will:
1. consider the role of research in building understanding of how children learn and how teaching can affect positive outcomes for children
2. learn about methodologies commonly used in research in early childhood education and care programs, and how teachers and young children can be active researchers
3. discover how research methods inform a systematic and intentional approach in supporting learning and teaching
4. consider the ethical issues particular to research with young children in early childhood programs.
Introduction
Research in early childhood education and care (ECEC) programs is increasingly focused on the practices or process of high-quality teaching in early learning settings and the primacy of learning with families in the home environment. Furthermore, research in ECEC is drawing policy attention to the importance of very early learning in the period from birth to the age of three, as evidence from neuroscience underscores the significance of early experiences for a child's brain development and functioning (see also Chapter 1 and Chapter 2). Research in ECEC necessarily acknowledges children's rights (see also Chapter 3) as a core consideration of research design. Over the past four decades, a great deal of work has been done in adapting or establishing methodologies and methods that enable children's voices to be heard. This chapter is informed by these two key influences – how evidence contributes to our understanding of learning and teaching in the early years, and how research ethics is a central platform of ECEC research – and focuses on approaches to research. Each case study in this chapter is drawn from contemporary research projects in early childhood and they each illustrate methods that are productive in eliciting children's experiences and knowledge. These three research case studies in turn highlight the role research plays in shaping practice and policy in early learning and teaching.
The role research plays in shaping practice and policy in early learning and teaching
Research plays an important role in the lives of teachers. Throughout this text we highlight the ways in which research:
• provides evidence of what constitutes effective high-quality teaching, and learning practices and processes
• influences the policies that frame the roles of teachers
• provides insights into the complexities and nuances of advancing young children's learning across diverse social and cultural contexts
• supports families with distinct and differing learning interests and priorities.