Early Childhood Connections
Links Directory
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| "Building a Community of Communities": Results & Discussion of the National Roundtable on Aboriginal ECD: What Can Research Offer Aboriginal Head Start?
(PDF 344KB)
This report begins with an overview of Aboriginal Early Childhood Development in Canada, including the history and foundations of many of the programs and services which are available to today's indigenous children and is followed by a brief exploration of research issues particular to work with and for Indigenous communities. http://www.coespecialneeds.ca/PDF/ahsroundtable.pdf |
Reporting |
| A Great Head Start for Growing Up Australians
Nine key areas of young children's lives where action can be taken by governments, agencies, business, parents and others that will have significant and long term benefits for all. The unprecedented report is based on local and international research showing how children's experiences in the early years can have a profound lifelong impact on their health, learning and social development, success in school and participation in the workforce and their communities. http://www.kids.nsw.gov.au/director/resources/news.cfm?itemID=7ED5B66006B869ABD61E6229BC8BA8B2 |
Reporting |
| A Picture of Australia's Children
The third national statistical report on health, development and wellbeing of Australia's children aged 0-14 years. Childhood, particularly early childhood, has become a key priority for governments and non-government organisations across Australia. This is in response to emerging issues of concern for Australia's children in the context of rapid social change, as well as compelling evidence about the importance of the early years for laying the foundations for children's future competence and physical and mental wellbeing. http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10127 |
Reporting |
| Action Learning & Action Research Association
Formed to include resource and network people working across the immensely diverse range of methodologies, theory and substantive areas, methods and techniques that make up this new paradigm of research or inquiry. http://www.alarpm.org.au/home |
Action research |
| Alliance for Children and Families
National membership association providing effective resources and leadership to over 300 private non-profit, child and family serving organisations in the United States and Canada. http://www.alliance1.org/ |
Evaluation |
| Association for Research on Mothering
Promotes feminist maternal scholarship by building and sustaining a community of researchers, academics and grassroots, interested in the topic of mothering-motherhood. http://www.yorku.ca/arm/ |
Evaluation |
| Australia's Health 2008
The eleventh biennial health report of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare is the nation's authorative source of information on patterns of health and illness, determinants of health, the supply and use of health services and health service costs and performance. An essential reference and information resource for Australians with an interest in health. http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/series/13 |
Reporting |
| Australia's Welfare 2007
The most comprehensive and authorative source of national information on welfare services in Australia. Topics include indicators of the welfare of Australia's population, ageing and aged care services, disability and disability services, assistance for housing, services for people experiencing homelessness and welfare services expenditure and labour force. It also features an extended chapter on children, youth and families. http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10527 |
Reporting |
| Australian Childhood Foundation
Aims to prevent child abuse and reduce the harm it causes to children, families and the community. Also provides counselling services for children who have experienced abuse and family violence and runs a range of recognised prevention, education, advocacy and research programs. http://www.childhood.org.au/website/default.asp |
Reporting |
| Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER)
Undertakes a wide range of research and development and provides services and materials in support of educational policy-making and improved professional practice. http://www.acer.edu.au/ |
Training and resources |
| Australian Health Promotion Association
Involved in practice, research and study of health promotion. Site contains information on conferences, journals, state branches and newsletter. http://www.healthpromotion.org.au/ |
Evaluation |
| Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS)
The national research and information agency on issues affecting families in Australia and promotes the identification and understanding of factors affecting marital and family stability in Australia. http://www.aifs.gov.au/ |
Outcomes-based evaluation |
| Australian Research Alliance for Children & Youth
A national collaboration of researchers, policy makers and practitioners from a broad range of disciplines who are working together to generate and translate knowledge to enhance the well-being and life chances of children and young people. http://www.aracy.org.au/AM/template.cfm?section=home1 |
Evaluation |
| Autism Research Institute
Devoted to conducting research and to disseminate the results of research on the causes of autism and on methods of preventing, diagnosing and treating autism and other severe behavioural disorders of childhood. http://www.autism.com/index.asp |
Research methodology |
| Better Beginnings Better Futures
A longitudinal prevention policy research project designed to prevent young children in low income, high risk neighbourhoods from experiencing poor developmental outcomes, which then require expensive health, education and social services. http://bbbf.queensu.ca/index_e.html |
Outcomes-based evaluation |
| Birth Defects Foundation (BDF)
BDF Newlife is the UK's leading child health and research charity. Disability, diseases, disorders and malformations affect thousands of families throughout the UK. BDF Newlife funds pioneering medical research and provides special nurse services and grants to affected families and children. http://www.bdfnewlife.co.uk/docs/home/home_1.php |
Action research |
| Canadian Autism Intervention Research Network (CAIRN)
Dedicated to the latest, evidence-based research on autism from around the world in language that is accessible to parents, teachers, practitioners, policymakers and others. http://www.cairn-site.com/ |
Evaluation |
| Centre for Community Child Health (CCCH)
Conducts research into the many conditions and common problems faced by children, such as obesity, language and literacy delay, and behavioural concerns, that are either preventable or can be improved if recognised and managed early. A particular focus of CCCH's work is supporting and strengthening community-based professionals and organisations in their work with families to bring about the best outcomes for children. http://www.rch.org.au/ccch/index.cfm?doc_id=10556 |
Evaluation |
| Centre for Community Child Health (CCCH) - Reports and Discussion Papers
The Centre for Community Child Health produces a wide range of evidence based publications. http://www.rch.org.au/ccch/resources.cfm?doc_id=10544 |
Reporting |
| Centre for Community Child Health (CCCH) - Research
Undertakes research into the many conditions and common problems faced by children that are either preventable or can be improved if recognised and managed early. http://www.rch.org.au/ccch/research.cfm?doc_id=10489 |
Research methodology |
| Centre for Equity and Innovation in Early Childhood
Champions children's rights and social justice in and through research, policy development, consultation and advice and training in services for young children and their families. http://www.edfac.unimelb.edu.au/ceiec/ |
Evaluation |
| Child Care and Early Education Research Connections
Promotes high quality research in child care and early education and the use of that research in policy making through a comprehensive and searchable collection of research and related resources. http://www.childcareresearch.org/discover/index.jsp |
Research methodology |
| Child Development Media Inc
Videos, books and curricula, find the right resource to meet your training needs. Every title has been selected to strengthen the training and education that you do. Also conducts a continuing education program, publishes a newsletter, hosts teleconferences, exhibits at selected conferences, and hosts training events. http://www.childdevelopmentmedia.com/ |
Reporting |
| Child Trends
Dedicated to improving the lives of children by conducting research and providing science-based information to improve the decisions, programs and policies that affect children and their families. http://www.childtrends.org/ |
Outcomes-based evaluation |
| Childcare and Children's Health Publication Survey Report - July 2005
(PDF 1.1MB)
Childcare and children's health is a bi-monthly publication distributed free to all long day care services and family day care coordination units in Australia through the National Childcare Accreditation Council (NCAC). The National Advisory Board approved a survey of the readership of the Childcare and children's health publication to gauge its effectiveness as a means of translating research into practice for child care and family day care staff. http://www.rch.org.au/emplibrary/ecconnections/CCHSurveyReport2005.pdf |
Reporting |
| CHILDforum.com
For emerging and established researchers, teachers, student teachers and graduates, school principals and programme managers, policy advisers, child and family advocates and others who have interest in early childhood research. http://www.childforum.com/ |
Research methodology |
| Children Now
Utilises research and mass communications to make the well being of children a top priority across the nation. http://www.childrennow.org/ |
Reporting |
| Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood
An online, fully refereed, international research journal that provides a forum for researchers and professionals who are exploring new and alternative perspectives in their work with young children (from birth to eight years of age) and their families. http://www.wwwords.co.uk/ciec/ |
Evaluation |
| Department of Community Services (DoCS) NSW
Work to promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young people and to build stronger families and communities. In particular, we help those who are vulnerable and most in need. http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/DOCS/STANDARD/PC_101101.html |
Evaluation |
| Directions in Action Research for Equity (DARE)
The aims are to build scholarship and professional practices that draw on and contribute to leading edge reconceptualist theory and practice in early education through collaborative action research with policy makers, colleagues and practitioners. http://extranet.edfac.unimelb.edu.au/LED/CEIEC/DARE/index.shtml |
Action research |
| Down Syndrome Research Foundation
Formed in 1995, in response to the need expressed, by parents and professionals, for detailed and research-based information for themselves and the community at large. http://dsrf.org/ |
Reporting |
| Early Years
Provides information about Early years policy, initiatives, resources, support programs and services and research projects. Allows access to brief overviews linked to further detail and associated websites, along with direct contact information. http://www.earlyyears.sa.edu.au/ |
Action research |
| Families in Australia 2008
This report provides a summary of the key issues and trends facing Australian families. It examines a selection of key topics, including fertility, caring responsibilities, economic wellbeing of families, health of family relationships and how Australians are balancing work and family responsibilities. http://www.pmc.gov.au/publications/families/ |
Reporting |
| Family & Parenting Institute
The leading centre of expertise on families and parenting in the UK, carrying out research and policy work to find out what matters to families. Develops ideas to improve the services families use and to improve the environment in which children grow up and work to inform policymakers and public debate. http://www.familyandparenting.org/ |
Training and resources |
| Frame Works Institute
Conducts communications research to aid nonprofit organisations in expanding their constituency base, build public will and further public understanding of specific social issues. http://www.frameworksinstitute.org/ |
Action research |
| Genetic Heath Services Victoria
Provides a fully integrated and accessible clinical and diagnostic genetics service, promoting choice through diagnosis, counselling, support, education, research and client services of the highest standard. http://www.genetichealthvic.net.au/ |
Action research |
| Guidelines Advisory Committee
Promotes better health for the people of Ontario by encouraging physicians and other practitioners to use evidence-based clinical practice guidelines and clinical practices based on best available evidence. http://gacguidelines.ca/index.cfm?ACT=topics |
Evaluation |
| Harvard Family Research Project
Strives to increase the effectiveness of public and private organisations and communities as they promote child development, student achievement, healthy family functioning and community development. http://www.gse.harvard.edu/hfrp/ |
Evaluation |
| Healthy Development Adelaide
Promote, facilitate and undertake research that will advance multidisciplinary understanding of healthy development by combining cognate research strengths to address high priority research issues to ensure the physical, psychological and social health of Australian infants, children and adolescents. http://www.adelaide.edu.au/hda/ |
Research methodology |
| High/Scope Educational Research Foundation
An independent non profit, research, development, training and public advocacy organisation with the principle goals to promote the learning and development of children worldwide, from infancy to adolescents, and to support and train educators and parents as they help children learn. http://www.highscope.org/ |
Evaluation |
| Home Visitation in 2005: Outcomes for Children and Parents
(PDF 405KB)
This paper from the Invest in Kids Working Group looks at the economic returns of home visiting programs for young children. While the evidence available to date indicates that quality home visiting programs produce modest benefits, the evidence on combining home visiting with other early childhood education programs suggests they produce longer-lasting outcomes. Programs also appear to be more effective when the services provided are aligned with the most pressing needs of the population served. The lack of consistent measurements in the research, however, calls for a more standardised approach to truly measure a program's effectiveness. http://www.ced.org/docs/report/report_ivk_gomby_2005.pdf |
Outcomes-based evaluation |
| Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP)
A pioneering, interdisciplinary research partnership that is directing a world-leading contribution to new understandings and approaches to early child development. http://www.earlylearning.ubc.ca/ |
Research methodology |
| Human Services Policy Center
Pairs applied analytic research with the promotion of policies that improve the lives of children, families and communities, with special attention to the needs of those who are disadvantaged. http://www.hspc.org/ |
Reporting |
| Institute for the Study of Children, Families and Social Issues
Investigating children, families and contemporary social issues and is committed to undertaking both basic and applied research related to the development, functioning and well-being of children and families and to address pressing social issues. http://www.iscfsi.bbk.ac.uk/projects.asp |
Evaluation |
| International Journal of Equity and Innovation in Early Childhood (IJEIEC)
Aims to explore and advance early childhood education and thinking about childhood by publishing work that illustrates, extends, inspires and provokes innovative approaches. http://www.edfac.unimelb.edu.au/ceiec/resources/journal.html |
Reporting |
| International Society on Infant Studies
A not-for-profit professional organization devoted to the promotion and dissemination of research on the development of infants through its official journal and a biennial conference where researchers and practitioners gather and discuss the latest research and theory in infant development. http://www.isisweb.org/ |
Evaluation |
| Managing Continuity of Care for Children with Special Needs in Rural and Remote Parts of Northern Ontario
(PDF 453KB)
A provincial initiative, designed to meet the special health, mental health and learning needs of rural children in the region has tried alternate ways to overcome these barriers and ensure that clients have access to services in or near their home communities. http://www.coespecialneeds.ca/PDF/continuityofcare.pdf |
Reporting |
| Manitoba Centre for Health Policy
Examines patterns of illness in the population and studies how people use health care services with the primary focus on the question, "What makes people healthy?" http://umanitoba.ca/medicine/units/mchp/ |
Action research |
| Mother and Child Health Research
A multi-disciplinary research centre which aims to undertake, study and interpret research on mothers' and children's health, contribute to policy development, provide advice and resources to researchers in related fields and be involved in postgraduate and continuing education. http://www.latrobe.edu.au/mchr/ |
Action research |
| Mother Child Education Foundation
Aims to empower people by means of education and enable them to improve the quality of their lives. Among their goals is to implement, evaluate and provide consultation on the various programs they provide and also work to raise public awareness on early childhood, literacy, empowerment and adult education issues. http://http://www.acev.org/index.php?lang=en |
Evaluation |
| Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
Conduct life-saving medical research and community health research with a focus on conditions that affect babies, children and adolescents. http://www.mcri.edu.au/ |
Action research |
| Nation's Network of Child Care Resource and Referral (NACCRRA)
Provides training, resources and best practices standards to local and state child care resource and referral centers that support high quality, accountable services. Promotes national policies and partnerships that facilitate universal access to quality child care. http://www.naccrra.org/ |
Reporting |
| National Center for Early Development and Learning
National early childhood research project focusing on enhancing the cognitive, social and emotional development of children from birth through to age eight. http://www.fpg.unc.edu/~ncedl/index.cfm |
Research methodology |
| National Children's Bureau
Works to identify and promote the well-being and interests of all children and young people across every aspect of their lives. http://http://www.ncb.org.uk/ |
Evaluation |
| National Evaluation of Sure Start (NESS)
Intended for all those concerned with or interested in the evaluation of Sure Start, but has particular relevance for staff employed in Sure Start projects and local Evaluators of Sure Start projects. http://www.ness.bbk.ac.uk/ |
Evaluation |
| National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
Australia's peak body for supporting health and medical research, for developing health advice for the Australian community, health professionals and governments and for providing advice on ethical behaviour in health care and in the conduct of health and medical research. http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/ |
Action research |
| National Information Centre for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY) (USA)
National information and referral centre that provides information on disabilities and disability-related issues for families, educators and other professionals. Focus is children and youth (birth to age 22) with a wide variety of publications, including fact sheets on specific disabilities, state resource sheets, parent guides and bibliographies. http://www.nichcy.org/ |
Outcomes-based evaluation |
| National Institute for Early Education Research
Supports early childhood education initiatives by providing, non partisan information based on research with the goal to produce and communicate the knowledge base required to ensure that every child can receive a good education at ages three and four. http://nieer.org/ |
Evaluation |
| National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Supports and conducts research on topics related to the health of children, adults, families and populations including reducing infant deaths, learning about growth and development and examining problems of birth defects and mental retardation. http://www.nichd.nih.gov/ |
Action research |
| National Literacy Trust
For parents, carers and professionals interested in up-to-date information about literacy for any age group and includes literacy initiatives, research, statistics, events and resources. http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/ |
Outcomes-based evaluation |
| National Research Register
A database of ongoing and recently completed research projects funded by, or of interest to, the United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS). https://portal.nihr.ac.uk/Pages/NRRArchive.aspx |
Research methodology |
| National Scientific Council on the Developing Child
Based on the belief in the value of sound and accurate science as a foundation for enlightened action, aims to enhance the early development of children through the design and implementation of effective public and private policies and programs. http://www.developingchild.net/ |
Outcomes-based evaluation |
| National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health
Dedicated to helping states, tribes, territories and communities discover, apply and sustain innovative and collaborative solutions that improve the social, emotional and behavioral well being of children and families. http://gucchd.georgetown.edu/programs/ta_center/index.html |
Evaluation |
| NSW Commission for Children and Young People
Aims to initiate and influence broad, positive change for children and young people, guided by legislation incorporating mutual co-operation between the Commission, government and non government agencies on laws, policies, practices and services that affect them. Also, provides information sheets for parents on a range of parenting topics. http://www.kids.nsw.gov.au/ |
Reporting |
| NSW Department of Community Services (DoCS)
Working to promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young persons and to build stronger families and communities. Regulates child care services and fund services to support children who cannot live with their families and also fund and regulate adoption services. Offers services for the homeless, helps recconnect people with their families and coordinates services to meet basic welfare and recovery needs of people affected by natural and other disasters. http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/DOCS/HOMEPAGE/HOME.htm |
Evaluation |
| NYU Child Study Center
Your resource guide to the scientifically-based, parent friendly site that includes articles, newsletters and the latest information on parenting and child mental health. http://www.aboutourkids.org/ |
Research methodology |
| Offord Centre for Child Studies
Leading the search for solutions that enhance the emotional, social and cognitive development of children. http://www.offordcentre.com/ |
Action research |
| Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support (OASIS)
Provides information on research, education and related subjects from those with personal experience. Chat rooms and message board facilities available. http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/ |
Action research |
| Parenting and Family Support Centre
University of Queensland, specialist family intervention research and training facility within the School of Psychology developed an internationally coordinated system of training and accreditation for practitioners in each of the five levels of family intervention called Triple P. Includes the Child and Family Psychology clinic that provides specialist paediatric clinical psychology services for parents and children aged up to 18 years. http://www.pfsc.uq.edu.au/ |
Action research |
| Parents as Teachers National Centre
An international early childhood parent education and family support program serving families through pregnancy and until their child is aged five. Designed to enhance child development and school achievement through parent education accessible to all families. http://www.patnc.org/ |
Evaluation |
| Planning, Undertaking and Disseminating Research in Early Childhood Settings: An Ethical Framework
Intended to guide academic researchers, teachers, managers, licensees and any other persons who may be involved, who plan to conduct or participate in research in early childhood settings. The Framework is distinguished from professional codes of ethics for teachers which do not focus specifically on research or teachers as researchers. http://www.childforum.com/publication_details.asp?REF_NO=17 |
Research methodology |
| Promising Practices Network
Highlights programs and practices that credible research indicates are effective in improving outcomes for children, youth and families. The information pertains to children from prenatal to age eighteen, as well as the families and communities in which they live. Provides useful information to decision makers, practitioners and program funders who must choose from many possibilities for improving results for children, youth and families. http://www.promisingpractices.net/programs.asp |
Evaluation |
| Register of Researchers
A database that holds contact details for researchers whose work may be of interest to children's services professionals, together with a list of their research interests and methods, their current research projects and their key publications. http://www.rip.org.uk/ror/index.asp |
Research methodology |
| Research & Training Centre on Family Support and Children's Mental Health
Collaborates research partnerships with family members, service providers, policy makers and other concerned persons and is dedicated to promoting effective community-based, culturally competent, family-centred services for families and their children who my be affected by mental, emotional or behavioural disorders. http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/ |
Program Logic |
| Research in Practice
Provides information about research in practice, its aspirations, working methods and work in progress to child care practitioners, managers and planners. Also enables members of the wider public, including children and families, to have access to a range of good evidence and sources of more information. http://www.rip.org.uk/ |
Reporting |
| Resources and Networking for Gender Equity in Early Childhood (RANGE)
Research about gender offers important understandings about how gender constructs our lives and how we construct gender in and through our lives with young children. Provides updates on gender research as they are learnt. http://extranet.edfac.unimelb.edu.au/LED/CEIEC/RANGE/research.shtml |
Evaluation |
| The Carolina Abecedarian Project
carefully controlled scientific study of the potential benefits of early childhood education for poor children. Four cohorts of individuals, born between 1972 and 1977, were randomly assigned as infants to either the early educational intervention group or the control group. http://www.fpg.unc.edu/~ABC/ |
Reporting |
| The Early Years
Committed to bolstering the ability of communities to support early child development, health and well-being and the new economy. Site is designed to highlight and support communities that are creating early child development capacity. http://www.founders.net/ey/home.nsf/home!openpage |
Reporting |
| Tiered Reimbursement in Minnesota Child Care Settings: A Report of the Minnesota Child Care Settings - July 2004
(PDF 188KB)
This report examines the effectiveness of a policy strategy designed to help low-income children access high-quality child care settings. http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/main/groups/children/documents/pub/DHS_id_027966.pdf |
Reporting |
| Voices from the Field: Policy implications of child development research for ECEC policy
The CEECD summaries of child-care research are written from the perspective of child care's impact on child development. Nine prominent researchers sum up research concerned with the use of child care by two age groups, birth to two years of age and two to five years old. http://action.web.ca/home/crru/rsrcs_crru_full.shtml?x=61304&AA_EX_Session=88d8dc09b2bfae24636746badff6e0a7 |
Reporting |
