Research Around the World

This week, I explored the website for the European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA) to increase my awareness of early childhood research at the international level. The organization publishes the Early Childhood Education Research Journal, a peer reviewed and scholarly journal considered to be one of the most prestigious early childhood journals in the world. Some of the topics that the journal articles addressed included Inclusive Education, use of action research to support quality early years practice, early childhood teacher education, supporting the learning of socioeconomically disadvantaged children, the quality of teacher-child relationships, access to early childhood services, professionalization in early childhood education to name a few. I also came across a special issue of the journal which was entirely devoted to research on play. As a whole, the articles addressed issues pertaining to children, families and early childhood education which seem to be similar in nature to topics that are of concern here in the United States. 

While browsing the website, I was surprised to find out about the existence of early childhood special interest groups (SIG) within the organization. The special interest groups are an opportunity for EECERA members to collaborate cross-nationally on a particular theme of interest. The SIGs allow members to engage in dialog on a topic of interest or focus on an area of research and publication. Currently, there are eleven active SIGs and include the following special interest areas; promoting the wellbeing of children birth to three and their families, equity and respect for diversity, gender balance, outdoor play and learning, professionalism in early education and care, rethinking play, working with parents and families to name a few. I believe that such collaborations provide a wonderful opportunity for different countries to share ideas and resources with each other and support each other towards the goal of strengthening the field of early childhood education in their own individual countries. While I am uncertain about the degree to which the United States might be collaborating with other countries regarding the field of early childhood, I believe that such collaborations and exchanges of ideas will be useful in strengthening the field here in the US. 

            Each year, EECERA Annual Conference holds an annual conference in different European city each year. I found this information to be noteworthy as the website states that this is the largest and most significant early years’ research conference in Europe each year. It is attended by more than 600 researcher delegates from all over the world. It provides participants an opportunity to share conference papers, network and collaborate. I can only imagine the wealth of information that is shared at these conferences and their impact on strengthening the field of early childhood globally. 

References:
http://www.eecera.org/