Play as a context for relationships and learning in universal group postnatal parenting education in Aotearoa New Zealand (2022)

View/ Open
Type of Content
Theses / DissertationsThesis Discipline
EducationDegree Name
Master of EducationLanguage
EnglishCollections
Abstract
The role of parenting in influencing life outcomes for children is significant, with parent- child relationships a key driver of development in the early years. The transition to parenthood in the postnatal period (birth to 1 year) can be a particularly vulnerable time for parents and coincides with a critical phase of growth and development for infants. Supporting and guiding parents with parenting education in this first year can be seen as a preventative intervention that can shape the futures of children and their families. This research focuses on universal level parenting programmes, accessible to all families in Aotearoa New Zealand. Of interest was how parent-child participation in play was being used within programmes where parents and their children attended together. The use of play to enhance learning and relationships is well-evidenced, with play being central to early education curriculum and practice, and our understanding of early childhood development. This qualitative study sought to examine the conceptualisation, implementation, and effectiveness of parent-child participation in play by collecting and analysing the perspectives of facilitators working in universal group postnatal parenting education in Aotearoa New Zealand. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven experienced facilitators representing four different service providers – Whānau Āwhina Plunket (PEPE); Parents Centre Aotearoa (Baby and You/Moving and Munching); The Parenting Place (Space), and Playcentre Aotearoa New Zealand (Babies Can Play). The research findings showed facilitators had a strong shared conceptualisation of play which emphasised independent exploration, natural and familiar resources, and a child-centred approach to play as learning. Facilitator’s beliefs and values were reflected in the strategies and play environments utilised. Participation in play was seen by facilitators as an effective and valuable part of the parent education programmes that required flexibility and responsiveness to the needs of parents and infants. Some challenges were identified by facilitators in terms of curriculum delivery and adult learner engagement. This research provides evidence of play as an existing and common component of universal group postnatal parenting education in Aotearoa New Zealand with potential benefits for parents, young children, and their communities.
Rights
All Rights ReservedRelated items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Humanizing secondary school contexts: learnings from Aotearoa New Zealand and Peru Latin America
Fickel LH; MacFarlane S; Macfarlane AH; Nieto Angel, Maria Carolina (2016) -
The Network for Learning and Initial Teacher Education. Paper presented to TEFANZ SIG in November 2012 and the Tertiary e-Learning Reference Group, Ako Aotearoa/Ministry of Education, Wellington, December 2012
Davis, N.E. (WikiEducatorUniversity of Canterbury. School of Literacies and Arts in Education, 2012)This paper aims to guide implementation and development of education in New Zealand with the Network for Learning (NfL) and Ultrafast Broadband in Schools (UFBiS) with particular reference to teacher preparation. Many ... -
The planet and very young people: Exploring guardianship in early childhood context in Aotearoa New Zealand
Mackey, G. (University of Canterbury. School of Teacher Education, 2015)