Early Childhood Teacher Research for Professional Development: Teacher Inquiry Projects in Diverse School Contexts

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

In this symposium, a group of early childhood education (ECE) teacher researchers presents their learning and growth as professionals from conducting a teacher- initiated inquiry project around teaching instructions, curriculum development, and leadership. Also, they claim the value of teacher research and its importance in the development of teacher agency in early childhood education. The connective thread among the papers is how teachers educate young children using language and literacy in culturally and linguistically diverse learning contexts. As early childhood teachers work together to provide equitable opportunities for all children, collaborative forms of research are critical in the field of ECE to encourage teachers to work together to give children and families with high-quality education and care.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Teacher as Researcher

Chair

• Mina Kim, San Francisco State University

Papers

• An Infant/Toddler Teacher's Examination of Her Role With Infants/Toddlers and Their Ways of Communicating - Julie Yip, San Francisco State University

• You Can Do That?! Helping Children Handle Big Emotions Through Storytelling and Playacting - Nicole Friedenberg, Old Firehouse School

• Promoting Journal Writing as a Child-Centered Approach in Second Language Acquisition for Preschool Children - Ying Liang, silicon valley international school

• Challenging the Binary Nature of Gender in Our School Community - Rosemary Medeiros, Lone Mountain Children's Center

• Leadership Through Collaborative Reflective Practices - Anna Uribe-Vender, Duck's Nest Preschool

Discussant

• Daniel Meier, San Francisco State University