Foundational Theories and Practices In ECS

Early childhood studies

an interdisciplinary field that understands children within family, community and societal contexts

• not just analyzing a childs behaviour but also their home life, neighbourhood and culture

• HOLISTIC VIEW

Social Construction of Childhood

• views of children have changed overtime, through culture, history, politics and society

i.e. children used to used for work and as bread winners, or not viewed as competent beings shaping their own learning vs how we see them now

Contemporary views of childhood

• modern perceptions are shaped by tech and social media, globalization/diversity plays an important role + rights movements

Indigenous world views

• children are seen as capable contributors in…

  • relationships, communities, land and culture

  • child centred learning

• i.e. learning through land exploration

Assimilation

forced absorption into dominant culture via state-funded and church run institutions

• i.e. residential schools

Intergenerational Trauma

transmission of historical oppression and trauma impacts across generations within a family

• fosters trauma informed, empathetic care

Reconciliation

on going process of establishing respectful relationships and addressing past harms between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples

• land acknowledgements

UNCRC

An international human rights treaty that outlines the civil, political, economic, social, health, and cultural rights of every child

• hearing children voices

Participation

• connected with UNCRC

• best interested in child

• hear children’s voices in decision making

• child is an active member in their learning

Resilience

• dynamic pathway of thriving despite adversities

• *protective factors

  • supportive relationships

  • caring adults

  • community

• shift from deficits to strengths

Confidentiality

• professional obligations safeguarding family privacy and ethical responsibility

• avoid gossip, keeps developmental notes secure

Duty to report

• legal obligation to immediately report suspicions of child abuse or neglect to child welfare authorities

• prioritizes child safety over everything

Family partnerships

• collaborative relationships recognizing families as experts on their children to support holistic development

• bridge gap between school and home

• i.e. nap time soothing techniques

Inclusion/Diversity

ensuring all children are welcomed and values across abilities, backgrounds, neurodiversity, and cultures

• modifying access, equitable access

How does Learning Happen - Images of the child

• children are seen as competent, curious, rich in potential and active participants

• educators = co learners

• i.e. open ended inquiry questions rather than rigid steps

Place matters

• environmental influences directly impact health and development

• connection to Bronfenbrenner

Bronfenbrenner Ecological Systems Theory

• development is influenced by the environments around them

• Microsystem: immediate environment

• Mesosystem: the interactions between things in the micro system

• Exosystem: indirect but powerful influence

• Macrosystem: wider idiological and cultural contexts

• Chronosystem: events and transitions over life time that don’t directly interact with child but impact them — parents job requirements