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Explorations of Democracy, Belonging and Relationships with Land: Early Childhood Education in Aotearoa New Zealand
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Explorations of Democracy, Belonging and Relationships with Land: Early Childhood Education in Aotearoa New Zealand

Linda Mitchell, Raella Kahuroa, Amanda Bateman, Bronwen Cowie, Olivera Kamenarac, Elaine Khoo, Hoana McMillan and Lesley Rameka
Contesting Early Childhood, Routledge, 1st
2027
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003594611
Appears in  Recent Faculty of Education Publications

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Abstract

This groundbreaking book explores the interactions of three powerful concepts in early childhood education (ECE): early childhood settings as sites for democracy, belonging as a human need and basis for participation, and relationships with land. Through exemplars of pioneering practice, it renews thinking about democracy and broadens understanding of belonging in culturally diverse societies. Drawing from three research projects undertaken with teachers as collaborators in 11 early childhood settings, this book showcases examples grounded in Aotearoa New Zealand's renowned bicultural curriculum, Te Whāriki. It demonstrates how participatory design methodologies can reimagine the theory-practice nexus and privilege diverse voices often marginalised in traditional research settings. Woven throughout are "glimpses of hope" that illustrate new possibilities for pedagogical practice in the country's bicultural context. In a time marked by significant societal shifts and neoliberal pressures, the authors argue that layering and interweaving these three concepts enables the creation of innovative approaches to policy thinking and practice that challenge existing frameworks and advocate for public, democratic ECE systems. This essential resource will interest postgraduate students, researchers, teachers, student teachers, early childhood managers and policy makers. It offers valuable insights for advanced students and practitioners of ECE seeking to understand democratic practice and belonging in diverse cultural contexts around the globe.

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