Documentation as a listening strategy: Using Beach Kindy as a pedagogical place

Abstract Early Childhood Education (ECE) has long been recognised as a distinct and valuable phase in young children’s lives, and more recently, ECE has been postulated as a foundation for lifelong learning within Education... [ view full abstract ]

Abstract

Early Childhood Education (ECE) has long been recognised as a distinct and valuable phase in young children’s lives, and more recently, ECE has been postulated as a foundation for lifelong learning within Education for Sustainability. Early childhood education has a strong tradition of engagement with child centred learning, the natural environment and participation, which align well with ESD. The premise, that even very young children engage with big ideas beyond adult fed segmented knowledge is captured in this ethnographic research, which offered an opportunity for pre-school children to engage in intellectual dialogue regarding their local beach. Beach Kindy utilises the natural environment of the coastline, demonstrating the biodiversity of the planet and conversations with the children acted as an effective medium and tool for education for sustainable development.

Data were collated using documentation as a primary strategy with adults using post it notes to capture verbatim comments related to the natural and manmade detritus within the beach environment. IPADS were used to record the visit and a mosaic approach was implemented to develop documentation as discourse using Beach Kindy to support young children’s natural curiosity. From analysis of the data, the researchers conclude that this research study has the potential to develop the use of live documentation over an extended period which embraces the Reggio-Emilia philosophy and pedagogy of project based learning. The project highlighted the value of incomplete (or messy) wall displays as ‘a commitment to life as mobility itself, in which the not-yet- known of the children’s thoughts has space to emerge” (Davies, pg25).

Keywords:

Early Childhood Education for Sustainability; sustainability research; beach kindy; Reggio Emilia, documentation