Papers by Elizabeth J Erwin
Journal of Educational and Psychological Consultation, Sep 1, 1995
... Exclusive emphasis on a functional curriculum and one-on-one behavioral training were at odds... more ... Exclusive emphasis on a functional curriculum and one-on-one behavioral training were at odds with the parents' primary goal for their children: to lead regular lives. :Parents' Perceptions of Their Relationship With School ... Even the consultant teacher was getting fed up with it. ...
Topics in Early Childhood Special Education
Young learners often are enchanted with the world, fascinated by the ordinary, and absorbed in th... more Young learners often are enchanted with the world, fascinated by the ordinary, and absorbed in the present moment. We explore interconnected ideas about how young children’s natural proclivity toward being curious, and noticing differences among people should be harnessed toward socially just ends. We consider ways in which joyfulness in learning are preserved, as teachers partner with young learners to cultivate their sense of justice in the classroom and beyond. We use disability studies in education as a theoretical framework for doing anti-bias work within early childhood education. We also describe global and neoliberal trends which directly and negatively impact the lives of young children by escalating injustice through educational practices and policies often disguised as reform. Ultimately, we propose, reimagining equity-based practices, positive disability narratives, freedom and humanity, and the concept of place within pedagogy to transform early childhood education.
International Journal of Early Years Education
The landscape of early childhood education and care has become unrecognizable in many countries, ... more The landscape of early childhood education and care has become unrecognizable in many countries, particularly in the West. There is an increasing pressure to focus on outcomes over process, prescribed curricula, standardized assessments, and unrealistic academic expectations for young learners and the adults who work on their behalf. This shift in educational practice has become a harsh reality for many young children, families and educators. The purpose of this paper is to challenge these mounting pressures through an in-depth examination of how early education and care in Australia places well-being as one of the top priorities for young children. Australia was deliberately identified for this analysis because of international acclaim received for its highly praised national early childhood framework as well as the steadfast and visible commitment to education and care for its youngest citizens. Using multiple contexts and narratives, three key features are described that demon...
Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilitites
Building foundational skills in the early years for the later development of self-determination i... more Building foundational skills in the early years for the later development of self-determination in adulthood for individuals with disabilities is important in the United States, but little research has been conducted to examine whether these skills are as important in other countries. In this phenomenological study, seven family interviews were conducted to understand how foundational skills for self-determination (choice making, self-regulation, engagement) were perceived and promoted by families of young children with disabilities in China. This study indicated that these skills were also valued in China. However, Chinese families emphasized the need to develop these three skills in the context of an emphasis on dependence and obedience in accordance with its collectivist culture. They used the popular Chinese parenting practice of guan to help their children make choices, regulate themselves according to li, and engage in educational study, which is highly valued in Chinese cultu...
Young Exceptional Children, 2015
Early Childhood Education Journal, 2015
ABSTRACT Early childhood practitioners can play a vital role in the development of early self-det... more ABSTRACT Early childhood practitioners can play a vital role in the development of early self-determination in partnership with families. Self-determination has been generally considered to be about personal agency or control that can also relate to the quality of one's life. Young children with disabilities start to develop a range of critical skills such as engagement and self-regulation that will be needed throughout their lives. These are the early foundational skills that lead to later self-determination. This paper describes a simple four-step process and key features of foundations of self-determination in early childhood, a collaborative process focusing on home–school partnerships. The unique alliance between each dyad (i.e., family member and early childhood practitioner) support child outcomes across naturally occurring routines at home and school. Each family and practitioner dyad uses attainable short-term goals embedded in home and school routines, intentional adult cues, and environmental modifications to promote foundational skills of self-determination in young children with disabilities.
Young Exceptional Children, 2008
Fran Martin, an early interventionist, arrives at the apartment of Jenny, a 3-year-old child with... more Fran Martin, an early interventionist, arrives at the apartment of Jenny, a 3-year-old child with Down's syndrome, to provide services for Jenny and her mom, who is a single parent. Jenny is wearing a pretty pink dress that she chose to wear today. When she enters the family room, Fran is happy to see that the furniture has been rearranged to encourage Jenny's emerging gross motor activity while ensuring her safe use of the space. The toys provided are attractive and interesting to encourage Jenny's activity. Although Jenny has motor movement delays because of a cardiac condition and a number of surgeries to repair her malformed feet, she is beginning to pull up and shift her weight in a standing position. Fran talks with Jenny's mother about both her hopes and her concerns for her daughter. Fran and Jenny's mother continue to discuss ways to provide a safe environment that promotes movement that is both stimulating and interesting.
Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education, 2011
The purpose of this article is to propose performance as a creative instructional strategy to con... more The purpose of this article is to propose performance as a creative instructional strategy to convey complex competencies related to understanding and working effectively with families in early childhood education. Performance derives from performance ethnography, which is a qualitative research methodology. Its application to professional development enables students and in-service participants not only to hear the voices of families, but to experience them through performance. This article describes the advantages and disadvantages of performance as an approach to professional development and illustrates the development and application of an example performance. Authors discuss how faculty, researchers, and those responsible for professional development can use performance to bridge the gap between research and practice and to move early childhood educators towards greater family-centered competencies when serving diverse families and children.
Inclusion, 2014
This study investigated families' perspectives about and strategies used to develop foundatio... more This study investigated families' perspectives about and strategies used to develop foundational skills (i.e., choice-making, self-regulation, and engagement) leading to the development of the self-determination of their young children with disabilities. Two research questions guided the study: (1) What do families believe is important when working with practitioners in partnership to build foundational skills leading to self-determination at home and school? (2) What do families think about providing opportunities for developing these skills, and how do they provide such opportunities? Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews and an open-ended online survey. Families reported a variety of strategies used to develop choice-making, self-regulation, and engagement skills. Results can assist early education service providers to better understand how families conceptualize choice-making, self-regulation, and engagement for their children to successfully build part...
Qualitative metasynthesis is an intentional and coherent approach to analyzing data across qualit... more Qualitative metasynthesis is an intentional and coherent approach to analyzing data across qualitative studies. It is a process that enables researchers to identify a specific research question and then search for, select, appraise, summarize, and combine qualitative evidence to address the research question. This process uses rigorous qualitative methods to synthesize existing qualitative studies to construct greater meaning through an interpretative process. The purpose of this article is to describe qualitative metasynthesis as an innovative research approach for the field of early childhood intervention. Although this is not a new research approach in other fields, the authors suggest that it can offer a promising practice in the field of early childhood intervention. In this article, the authors explore how qualitative metasynthesis can be a practical and effective approach of inquiry as they continue to broaden their understanding about young children with disabilities and the...
The changing landscape of early childhood care and education led us to wonder what mindfulness pr... more The changing landscape of early childhood care and education led us to wonder what mindfulness practices are used to promote a sense of well-being in young learners. An online pilot study was conducted to explore how some early childhood teachers in one U.S. state use mindfulness practices (e.g., yoga, meditation) with young children. Findings indicated that teachers implemented mindfulness practices for a variety of reasons, such as when they observed student stress, restlessness, or during transitions. Participants also indicated that the use of mindfulness practices produced positive benefits for individual children as well as for the entire class, including positive academic, social, and behavioral outcomes. Implications for practitioners and others are suggested.
Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness
Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Objectives Foundations for self-determination begin in early childhood for children with disabili... more Objectives Foundations for self-determination begin in early childhood for children with disabilities with the onset of selfregulation and engagement in activities at home, school, and in the community. This article describes the development and preliminary results of an intervention model that encourages collaborative practices for parents and teachers around short-term goal setting to adjust environments for young children with special needs or at risk for delay. Methods The Foundations Intervention was used with 48 children in authentic early childhood settings and involved parents, teachers, and a facilitator to enhance children’s self-regulation and engagement at home and school. Results Results showed feasibility of the intervention; positive child outcomes in goal attainment, self-regulation, and engagement measures were also evident. Conclusions When parents and teachers communicated about a child’s strengths and needs within routines at home and school, this appeared to strengthen parent and teacher connections and helped children become more engaged or regulated in daily activities.
Young Exceptional Children
Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 02568543 2015 1009588, Apr 1, 2015
As interest in establishing and maintaining high-quality inclusive early childhood environments c... more As interest in establishing and maintaining high-quality inclusive early childhood environments continues to grow, the population of children and families being served by these programs is becoming increasingly diverse. In response to these demographic and social trends, this study was conducted to explore how diversity is perceived within an early childhood inclusive environment. This participatory action research study was conceptualized and conducted over a 3-year period. Our collaborative research team, which reflected diversity across culture, race, gender, age, and professional discipline, used qualitative semistructured interviews to examine the question, "What does it mean to be fully inclusive across all aspects of diversity?" The research agenda and study implementation were shaped at every stage of the process through reaching consensus among the research team. Findings revealed the critical nature of trust and factors that contributed to and detracted from feelings of membership and community. Study participants identified opportunities and obstacles related to inclusive practices within their setting and expressed understandings and contradictions about the concept of diversity. Recommendations for practice and research that considered multiple aspects of diversity in early childhood are shared.
Infants and Young Children, Dec 31, 2002
... Erwin, Elizabeth J. EdD; Brown, Fredda PhD. Article Outline. Collapse Box Author Information.... more ... Erwin, Elizabeth J. EdD; Brown, Fredda PhD. Article Outline. Collapse Box Author Information. Associate Professor and Coordinator (Erwin). Professor, Graduate Programs in Special Education, Queens College of the City University of New York, Flushing, New York (Brown). ...
Http Dx Doi Org 10 1207 S1532768xjepc0603_6, Jun 8, 2010
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Papers by Elizabeth J Erwin