Abstract:
Young children are constantly developing and refining their working theories about the world around them. Being an integral aspect of early childhood curriculum in Aotearoa New Zealand, working theories continue to be the subject of ongoing research base. Research has focused on ways that young tamariki (children) develop working theories, how kaiako support working theory development, and the domains that children form working theories about.
In this seminar, I add to this research base by presenting working theories as mediators of teaching and learning by drawing on my doctoral research to present a three-fold view of working theories as a process, outcome and interpretive framework. By applying this three-fold view to a vignette generated during my doctoral research, I argue that working theories can then be viewed and used as mediators for both tamariki and kaiako. This unique perspective enables a fresh understanding of working theories, providing a foundation on which tamariki, kaiako and researchers can then build further understandings.
This presentation has been designed for teachers and researchers and will involve the sharing of data generated at an early childhood centre during my doctoral research.
About the Presenter:
Dr Daniel Lovatt is a Regional Education Leader for Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood New Zealand. Daniel comes from an electrical engineering background prior to teaching in ECE and has an interest in curriculum, children’s working theories and dialogue with and between children.
Email: daniel.lovatt@ecnz.ac.nz
