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A Better Start – WORDS Can Pop
A partnership with the University of Canterbury Child Well-Being Research Institute, Rātā Foundation and the Better Start National Science Challenge, E Tipu E Rea.
Children’s oral language and self-regulation development are critical factors that supportchildren’s wellbeing and successful transition to school.
In this project, funded through Rātā Foundation, research informed a professional learningand development approach to enhance the self-regulation and oral language skills of 3- and 4-year-old children in Canterbury was developed and evaluated.
The project was undertaken in 24 Kidsfirst centres in Canterbury where comprehensive professional learning and development was provided to 84 teachers. This projectcomplimented research within the Better Start National Science Challenge, E Tipu E Rea,where the oral language and self-regulation development of the 486 children within these teachers’ early childhood centres were monitored over time.
Download the research report here
The professional learning and development for teachers was presented within a novel Words Can POP! framework. This framework, based on strong research evidence, captured critical areas of focus for developing children’s oral language and self-regulation. The framework resulted in significant changes to teaching and learning for teachers and children alike.
Stakeholder engagement at the community and government level has been a critical piece ofthis project and will help ensure that Words Can POP! will be implemented more widely in the future. The steering committee put in place by Rātā Foundation has also played a pivotal role in ensuring that the reach of this project will go well beyond the 24 centres that we haveworked with.
This project marks an important step in ensuring we can create a system change in how transition to school and early learning success is enhanced in Canterbury.
This initiative will continue to impact tamariki through the skills teachers have designed and available resources.