This project explored the role of early childhood education (ECE) and pedagogical strategies in supporting a sense of belonging and identity for refugee and immigrant children and families in Aotearoa New Zealand. We used a design-based research methodology in four culturally diverse ECE settings to develop and trial theories and strategies about how ECE can deliberately encourage refugee and immigrant children to connect with their home countries, sustain their cultural identity, and simultaneously live within and contribute to Aotearoa New Zealand. We analysed the affordances of drawing, storytelling and play, and of teacher engagement with children, parents, and whānau, for constructing pathways to belonging in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The research focus was on the potential of early childhood services to be sites for social justice for refugee and immigrant children and families, laying a foundation for a confident transition to a bicultural Aotearoa, additional to their own culture. Through the research, we wanted to develop practice strategies and theories of bicultural belonging and participatory democracy that can be strengthened through early childhood education.
Project Aims:
1. How can the people, places and practices in early childhood settings support a sense of bicultural belonging to Aotearoa New Zealand, and sustain children’s connections to homelands and people.
This question was explored through the following questions and associated sub-questions:
2. How do drawing, story-telling and play provide opportunities for:
i. Children to sustain connections with people and experiences from their home country?
ii. Children to develop new connections in and sense of belonging with Aotearoa New Zealand?
3. How does arts-based and play-based pedagogy enable teachers to engage with children, parents and whānau to:
i. Enable a two-way exchange and mutual learning about culture?
ii. Find out more about the knowledge and skills of children themselves?
From a framework of ecological and sociocultural theory, the project investigated pedagogical practices for constructing pathways to bicultural belonging in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Project Team
- Professor LM Mitchell | PI | The University of Waikato
- Professor A Bateman | AI | BCU
- Dr LK Rameka | AI | University of Waikato
- Dr Elaine Khoo | AI | Massey University
- Dr R Kahuroa | Doctoral researcher | University of Waikato
- Professor M Carr | Advisor | University of Waikato
- Dr LL Ang | Advisor | University College London
Contact
For more information on the research, please contact Amanda.bateman@bcu.ac.uk