The Research School on Communication and Relations as Foundations for Early Childhood Education

The research school on communication and relations as foundations for early childhood education takes it point of departure in the fact that children participating in stimulating early childhood education gain developmentally,... [ view full abstract ]

The research school on communication and relations as foundations for early childhood education takes it point of departure in the fact that children participating in stimulating early childhood education gain developmentally, including succeeding to a higher degree in school. The nature of teacher-child and child-child communication and the establishing and maintaining of fruitful relationships are fundamental to such gains. The research school will offer doctoral students (to a Licentiate degree) a high-quality education in this field of research. The students will conduct research and do course work at the University halftime and work with children in early childhood settings halftime. Early childhood education in an international perspective denotes institutional settings for children up to the age of 8 (or sometimes 10) years. In the Swedish context, this includes preschool, the preschool class and the first years of primary school. Qualified teachers working in these settings can therefore apply to the research school. The research school aims at developing the students’ abilities to (i) conduct theoretically, methodologically and ethically sound research and (ii) carry out developmental work in preschool settings. The research school is given in collaboration between five universities (Gothenburg, Malmö, Karlstad, Kristianstad and Mälardalen). The first three of these universities have previously given three joint research schools since 2008.