Academic research and policy work

Resources

Our own research and policy work

On this page you will find details and links to research articles and policy work created by our academic team and associates, on a range of children’s rights and Froebelian issues. For shorter research projects undertaken directly by early years practitioners please visit our Inspiration Directory.

Observation

01/01/2021 | McNair, Blaisdell, Davies & Addison

Acts of pedagogical resistance

Action research project contesting “tick box” observations of young children for formal assessment in favour of “Lived Stories”.

01/07/2021 | McNair, L. J.

“Why are all the doors locked?”

This ethnographic study sought to explore the perspectives of 16 children as they transitioned from one ‘early learning and childcare centre’, Lilybank, to four Scottish primary schools.

01/07/2019 | McNair, L., Cameron, I. and Gilbertson, L.

Adult roles in support of early childhood play

Explores whether play can be deeper, richer and more meaningful when children are beyond the watchful eye of an adult…

All Observation research

Froebel

01/01/2021 | McNair, L & Powell, S

Friedrich Froebel: a path least trodden

An introduction to contemporary Froebelian pedagogy. Requires login with your University of Edinburgh or other credentials.

All Froebel research

Stories and storytelling

01/04/2020 | Bruce, T., McNair, L., and Whinnett, J.

Putting Storytelling at the Heart of Early Childhood Practice

A brilliantly engaging and practical book that highlights the essential nature of storytelling in all walks of life, and how to best cultivate this in the early years classroom.

All Storytelling research