Reconceptualising early mathematics learning: The fundamental role of pattern and structure. The critical shortage of mathematicians, statisticians and scientists in Australia today can be traced in large part to inadequacies in early mathematics learning. Many students fail to achieve a basic understanding of mathematics, although the subject is crucial to participation in a technology-based society and the building of a knowledge culture. The innovative program for the first year of formal sc ....Reconceptualising early mathematics learning: The fundamental role of pattern and structure. The critical shortage of mathematicians, statisticians and scientists in Australia today can be traced in large part to inadequacies in early mathematics learning. Many students fail to achieve a basic understanding of mathematics, although the subject is crucial to participation in a technology-based society and the building of a knowledge culture. The innovative program for the first year of formal schooling, to be developed and tested in this study, will provide a much firmer foundation for later development. The project will enhance the achievement of national numeracy goals by enabling a high quality, effective mathematics education for all Australian children. Read moreRead less
Cost effective smart identification of early attentional problems associated with literacy and numeracy indicators in preschool children. The benefits of this project are improved early identification of children at-risk of failure, and initiation of a significant longitudinal Australian educational database. Identifying children with emergent learning problems will promote interventions to improve achievement leading to a more productive adult life. The development and administration of screeni ....Cost effective smart identification of early attentional problems associated with literacy and numeracy indicators in preschool children. The benefits of this project are improved early identification of children at-risk of failure, and initiation of a significant longitudinal Australian educational database. Identifying children with emergent learning problems will promote interventions to improve achievement leading to a more productive adult life. The development and administration of screening procedures with software distributed to schools and analysed with increasing power as the database expands, will enable the predictive validity of the process to be examined re-iteratively. The generated longitudinal student databases will have the potential to track both detection and intervention effectiveness, and become a national research asset.Read moreRead less
Engaging to learn: Increasing the engagement of children with autism in learning activities. This research addresses the ARC national research priority of promoting and maintaining good health and well being for all Australians by enabling children with autism and their families to lead more productive and fulfilling lives. Children with autism are amongst the most challenging of all students for educators. Improving educational outcomes by engaging these children in learning, the aim of this re ....Engaging to learn: Increasing the engagement of children with autism in learning activities. This research addresses the ARC national research priority of promoting and maintaining good health and well being for all Australians by enabling children with autism and their families to lead more productive and fulfilling lives. Children with autism are amongst the most challenging of all students for educators. Improving educational outcomes by engaging these children in learning, the aim of this research, is critical if these children are to achieve their full potential. This will benefit the Australian community by increasing independence, reducing barriers to inclusion, and improving the quality of life for children with autism and their families.Read moreRead less
The transition to school for young children with developmental disabilities: The impact of interpersonal relationships on successful school adjustment. Increasing numbers of young children with developmental disabilities are included in regular school settings. Children with developmental disabilities have additional support needs and are at high risk for poor school outcomes. Effective programs to support success in the transition to school have the potential to improve children's long-term soc ....The transition to school for young children with developmental disabilities: The impact of interpersonal relationships on successful school adjustment. Increasing numbers of young children with developmental disabilities are included in regular school settings. Children with developmental disabilities have additional support needs and are at high risk for poor school outcomes. Effective programs to support success in the transition to school have the potential to improve children's long-term social and behavioural adjustment. In this research, the focus on modifiable mediating factors for successful school transitions will inform inclusive educational policy and practice. Investment in optimising child outcomes in the early years has long-term social, community, and economic benefits.
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Comparative Analysis of Early Intervention Programs for Young Children with Autism. This project will contribute valuable information on how agencies and governments nationally and overseas can cater for a rapidly growing number of students identified with autism. Two early intervention programs - home-based and centre-based - for young children with autism and their families will be compared to each other and a control group. Through promoting strong family knowledge about autism, strategies fo ....Comparative Analysis of Early Intervention Programs for Young Children with Autism. This project will contribute valuable information on how agencies and governments nationally and overseas can cater for a rapidly growing number of students identified with autism. Two early intervention programs - home-based and centre-based - for young children with autism and their families will be compared to each other and a control group. Through promoting strong family knowledge about autism, strategies for managing a young child with autism (e.g., communication, social skills), plus fostering inter-family and community links, families will be empowered to promote healthy outcomes for their young child.Read moreRead less
Universal access playgrounds: Can purpose-built playgrounds for children with disabilities provide opportunities for play that enhance cognitive and social development? This study will investigate social, cultural and physical barriers to playground access and participation by children with different types of disabilities. The outcomes of this project will be a model for best-practice playground design based on research in the areas of disability, learning and development; children's social, c ....Universal access playgrounds: Can purpose-built playgrounds for children with disabilities provide opportunities for play that enhance cognitive and social development? This study will investigate social, cultural and physical barriers to playground access and participation by children with different types of disabilities. The outcomes of this project will be a model for best-practice playground design based on research in the areas of disability, learning and development; children's social, cultural, physical and sensory needs; and biomechanics and engineering. The research will be continued through an evaluation of the social and cognitive benefits for children with disabilities using a purpose-built playground constructed on the basis of these best-practice principles.Read moreRead less
Self-regulation in very low birthweight/very preterm 2 and 4 year olds: A comparison study. Increasing numbers of extremely low birthweight children are surviving, and the majority go on to have learning problems. The difficulties these children experience and the resources that are devoted to the task of improving their academic skills have personal, social and economic costs. This project will assist in the identification of areas of difficulty that contribute to their problems in learning, es ....Self-regulation in very low birthweight/very preterm 2 and 4 year olds: A comparison study. Increasing numbers of extremely low birthweight children are surviving, and the majority go on to have learning problems. The difficulties these children experience and the resources that are devoted to the task of improving their academic skills have personal, social and economic costs. This project will assist in the identification of areas of difficulty that contribute to their problems in learning, essential for developing effective interventions. Success will bring substantial benefits at both the level of the individual and of society. The study will be undertaken by a PhD candidate as part of a multidisciplinary team, an experience that will provide an exceptional training in research with vulnerable children.Read moreRead less