Community Action Research

Community Action Research is the primary methodology used in the development of ELI. The action-reflection cycle of observe, reflect, act, evaluate and modify (McNiff 2006) informs the development of ELI’s programmes and ensures that plans are implemented. Unlike traditional research, it does not aim for the final answer (McNiff 2010) but provides a structure that enables the continuous evaluation and improvement of the project, both formally and informally. For ELI, this ensures that individual programmes evolve and change according to the educational needs of all the participants and the community. Involving all ELI stakeholders in the action research process supports the successful management of change and creates a learning community that works together to ‘nurture and sustain a knowledge-creating system’, based on valuing each other equally (Senge & Scharmer 2001, 240).

Parenting365 Project

The Parenting365 project aimed to conduct an exploration of the experiences of children with disabilities and their parents living in an area of socio-economic disadvantage in Dublin’s Inner City and to understand the impact of the Parenting365 Programme on children with disabilities and their parents. The study also sought to directly engage the parents in informing the future development of the Parenting365 Programme.  Nine parents completed a “Needs Assessment” with the researcher, including Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ-3 and ASQ:SE-2) and demographic information. Seven parents also completed a semi-structured interview after engaging in the Parenting365 Programme. The needs assessment suggests that communication and personal social development were particular deficits within this cohort, however, all areas of development, as measured by the ASQ-3, may require additional support. The findings from the Parenting365 programme highlighted the positive impact of the programme for both the parent and child, supporting previous feedback captured by the ELI from parents who had previously completed the Parenting365 programme (ELI, 2022). Parents reported increased confidence in their ability to support their child and that a benefit of the programme was seeing their child thrive in social interactions. Additionally, particular benefits of the programme were stated as being the opportunities for social support amongst the parents and feelings of solidarity.

Early Developmental Outcomes of Infants from an Area of Socio-economic Disadvantage: A Comparison with National Norms

The study exploring whether infants from an area of socio-economic disadvantage differ in variables related to Child and Parent Well-being, as compared to national norms continued across 2019-20.  To date, the study has 90 baseline surveys and 40 post programme surveys. The results highlight the programme’s ability to alter parental behaviour. Results showed statistically significant increases in cuddling, immunisation and use of safety equipment when parents had completed the programme. Parents’ behaviour and their understanding of child development is a crucial part of early childhood interventions. The findings of this study have important implications for policy as the findings indicate that investments in early interventions can improve conditions for socioeconomically disadvantaged children, which in turn improves social disadvantage. 

ParentChild+ Follow-Up Study 

An external evaluation of ParentChild+ was conducted through a follow-up study of ParentChild+ graduates from the original implementation of ParentChild+ in the Dublin Docklands. Thirteen parents and child graduates and two teachers participated. The findings indicated the continued positive impact of the ParentChild+ programme for both children and mothers. Significantly, the development of strong communication skills, socio-emotional and academic skills, and a love of learning were noted as being related to the experience of being a part of the ParentChild+. Parents stated that the ParentChild+ programme helped them to have “a little more patience and open mind about parenting” and that it was “great to have someone else coming and seeing… [the child’s]… progress”. The parents mentioned the “warm and affectionate” relationships fostered by the Home Visitors and that they were “just so brilliant” and they “really enriched our lives”. Additionally, parents also mentioned that they continued to employ the skills they learned with their “other children”. These findings support the previous evaluations (2014-2017) of the ParentChild+ programme and the baseline study completed in 2011 (Share et al., 2011).

Learnings from a Move Towards Virtual Engagement in Supporting a Community of Socio-Economic Disadvantage During COVID-19. 

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Home Visiting teams at the Early Learning Initiative moved their home visits to virtual visits in compliance with public health advice. In order to capture the engagement during home visits, the quality of intervention being received by families, the challenges facing families and the learnings emerging a new reflection tool was developed to be completed after each home visit across the three stands of home visiting programmes (0-2 Programme, ParentChild+ Programme, and the Home from Home Programme). Over 5000 reflections completed by Home Visitors have been collected which will be explored in 2021/22 to identify the factors that predict positive engagement with virtual delivery of visits.

On 28th-30th October 2022 ELI, in collaboration with NCI’s CELL department, hosted the Collaborative Action Research Network (CARN) Annual International Conference, themed 'Changing Lives Through Action Research'. 

 

On 18^th June 2019 ELI hosted a Collaborative Action Research Network (CARN) Study Day entitled ‘Real-World Action Research’. 

 

On 6^th March 2019 ELI hosted a seminar entitled ‘Negotiating Culture and Literacies Across Europe’. 

 

On 13^th June 2018, ELI hosted an early-years conference entitled ‘The Constitutional Role of Parents as the Primary Educators of their Children’. 

 

On 23^rd June 2016, ELI hosted an early-years conference titled 'Enriching the Home Learning Environment'.

2024

Bleach, Josephine (2024) Early Childhood Home Visiting- a Critical lifeline for families in Dublin’s Inner City. Working Notes. ISSN 0791-587X

 

Kavanagh, Áine and Neville, Craig (2024) Towards a plurilingual Ireland: planting the seeds of linguistic social justice in Education. PublicPolicy.ie.

2021

Bleach, Josephine (2021) Parents’ voices through the COVID-19 pandemic. Education Matters Year Book 2021. pp. 135-138. ISSN 978-0-9956987-5-8.

 

Pitsia, V. and Kent, G. (2021) School readiness of five-year-old children from socio-economic disadvantaged areas: evidence from the Preparing for Life evaluation. Irish Educational Studies. pp. 1-21. ISSN 1747-4965.

 

2019

Kent, G., Traynor, A., Darmody, K. and O’Leary, T. (2019) Enhancing the Administration of an Early Intervention Educational Programme Through Technology; Exploring Usage, Acceptance and Attitudes. Irish Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning, 5 (1). ISSN 2009-972X.

 

2018

Kent, G. and Pitsia, V. (2018) A comparison of the home learning environment of families at risk of socio-economic disadvantage to national norms in Ireland. Irish Educational Studies, 37 (4). pp. 505-521. ISSN 1747-4965.

 

Kent, G. and Pitsia, V. (2018) Gender Differences in Cognitive Development and School Readiness: Findings from a Randomised Controlled Trial of Children from Communities of Socio-economic Disadvantage in Ireland. Children's Research Digest, 5 (3). pp. 33-41. ISSN 2009-7298. 

 

Kent, G., Pitsia, V. and Colton, G. (2018) Cognitive development during early childhood: insights from families living in areas of socio-economic disadvantage. Early Child Development and Care. ISSN 1476-8275.

 

2017

 

2016

Bleach, J. (2016) Learning networks – enabling change through community action research. Educational Action Research, 24 (1). pp. 21-33. ISSN 1747-5074.

 

Kent, G., Bleach, J. and Fagan, B. (2016) The Role of the Parent Child Home Programme in Supporting Better Outcomes in Education and Learning. Children’s Research Digest. 3 (1). pp. 29-35. ISSN 2009-7298.

 

McNally, S., Kent, G., Fagan, B. and Bleach, J. (2016) Knowledge Exchange in Early Childhood Research and Practice: Findings from the Early Learning Initiative and the National College of Ireland. An Leanbh Óg: The OMEP Ireland Journal of Early Childhood Studies, 10. pp. 153-161. ISSN 2009-5910. 

 

2015

Bleach, J. (2015) Improving Numeracy Outcomes for Children through Community Action Research. Educational Action Research, 23 (1). pp. 22-35. ISSN 1747-5074.

 

2014

Bleach, Margaret J. (2014) Developing professionalism through reflective practice and ongoing professional development. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 22 (2). pp. 185-197. ISSN 1350-293X.

 

2013

Bleach, Margaret J. (2013) Improving educational aspirations and outcomes through community action research. Educational Action Research, 21 (2). pp. 253-266. ISSN 1747-5074.

 

Bleach, Margaret J. (2013) Using action research to support quality early years practice. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 21 (3), pp. 370-379. ISSN 1752-1807.

 

2012

Fagan, B. (2012) The Parent Child Home Programme in Dublin's Docklands. An Leanbh Óg: The OMEP Ireland Journal of Early Childhood Studies, 6 (1). pp. 129-136. ISSN 2009-5910.

 

2011

Kilroy, S., Sharry, J., Flood, C. and Guerin, S. (2011) Parenting training in the community : linking process to outcome. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 16 (3). pp. 459-473. ISSN 1461-7021.

Oke, Meera and Bleach, Josephine (2024) Teacher’s Burn-out and Poor Work-Life Conditions in ECE: The Role of (Participatory) Action Research in Addressing These Challenges to Bring about Positive Changes. In: 2024 ARNA Conference. ARNA (Action Research Network of the Americas).

 

Wheatley, Emma (2024) Developing an Irish Restorative Community — Insights, Lessons, and Theory Contributions. In: 12th International Conference of the European Forum for Restorative Justice. European Forum for Restorative Justice, Tallinn, Estonia.

 

Wheatley, Emma and Curry, Miranda (2024) Developing an Irish Restorative Community — Insights, Lessons, and Theory Contributions. In: NCI Research Day. National College of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.

 

Alcala, Alexandra, White, Fay, Curry, Miranda, Darmody, Kate, Kent, Gráinne, Lambert, Jonathan, Mulligan, Brona and Byrne, Marion (2023) Assessing the Effectiveness of a Prevention-Focused Programme: A Comparative Study against National Norms. In: Growing Up In Ireland Conference. Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth/Central Statistics Office, Dublin, Ireland.

 

Alcala, Alexandra, Mihalka, Ramona, Darmody, Kate and Mabika, Shingirirayi (2023) STEM Play & Learn- Exploring the Effects of a STEM Family Learning Summer Programme. In: Collaborative Action Research Network Conference (CARN). CARN, Manchester, England.

 

Alcala, Alexandra, Darmody, Kate, Dennehy, Holly, White, Fay and Cummins, Lána (2023) Your Children, Your Say: Experiences of Meitheal in the Dublin Mid Leinster Area. In: Prevention and Early Intervention Summit. PEIN, Limerick, Ireland. 

 

Bleach, Josephine and Brocklesby, Susan (2023) Early Childhood Home Visiting in Ireland: An essential prevention and early intervention services for children, parents, and families. In: Ireland's Education Yearbook 2023. Education Matters, pp. 70-73. ISBN 978-0-9956987-7-2

 

Bleach, Josephine and Byrne, Marion (2023) Early Childhood Home Visiting – a collaborative person-centred community approach. In: CARN Bulletin 26. CARN (Collaborative Action Research Network), Manchester, England, pp. 36-40. ISBN 978-1-910029-97-8

 

Bleach, Josephine and Byrne, Marion (2023) Early Childhood Home Visiting – a collaborative person-centred community approach. In: Collaborative Action Research Network (CARN) Conference 2023. CARN, Manchester, England.

 

Bleach, Josephine and Byrne, Marion (2023) Early Childhood Home Visiting- a Collaborative Person-Centered Community Approach. In: Prevention and Early Intervention Summit. PEIN, Limerick, Ireland. 

 

Byrne, Marion, Darmody, Kate, Kent, Gráinne, Lambert, Jonathan and Mulligan, Brona (2023) Developmental Outcomes of Infants from an Area of Socio-Economic Disadvantage: A Comparison with National Norms. In: 18th World Congress for the World Association for Infant Mental Health. The World Association for Infant Mental Health (WAIMH), Dublin, Ireland.

 

Byrne, Marion, Cummins, Lána and Mabika, Shingirirayi (2023) My Place to Play: An interagency Approach to Supporting Infants and Young Children in Emergency Accommodation. In: Ireland's Education Yearbook 2023. Education Matters, pp. 80-83. ISBN 978-0-9956987-7-2

 

Cummins, Lána, Goulding, Sonya, Alcala, Alexandra, O'Neill, Siobhán and Dennehy, Holly (2023) Experiences of Engaging with the Parenting365 Programme. In: European Early Childhood Education Research Association 31st Conference (EECERA). EECERA, Lisbon, Portugal.

 

Cummins, Lána (2023) Exploring Social Class Dynamics in Parental Experiences of Children’s Disability Services. In: Prevention and Early Intervention Summit. PEIN, Limerick, Ireland. 

 

Cummins, Lána, Alcala, Alexandra, O'Neill, Siobhán and Darmody, Kate (2023) Longitudinal Studies with Families in Disadvantaged and Transient Communities- what works? In: Collaborative Action Research Network Conference (CARN). CARN, Manchester, England.

 

Cummins, Lána and Byrne, Marion (2023) My Place to Play: an interagency approach to creating a dedicated place to play for infants and their families living in emergency accommodation. In: CARN Bulletin 25. CARN (Collaborative Action Research Network), Dublin, Ireland, pp. 9-13. ISBN 978-1-910029-96-1

 

Cummins, Lána (2023) Social Class Dynamics in Mother’s Experiences of Early Childhood Disability Services. In: 31st EECERA Conference. EECERA, Lisbon, Portugal.

 

Cummins, Lána (2023) Social Class Dynamics in Parental Experiences of Children’s Disability Services. In: Collaborative Action Research Network (CARN) Conference 2023. CARN, Manchester, England.

 

Darmody, Kate, Booth, Julie, Bleach, Josephine, Pathak, Pramod and Stynes, Paul (2023) A Virtual Educational Robotics Coding Club Framework to Improve K-6 Students Emotional Engagement in STEM. In: VII IEEE World Engineering Education Conference (EDUNINE23). IEEE, Bogotá, Colombia.

 

Darmody, Kate and Mihalka, Ramona (2023) Parents’ voices through the pandemic: How a community action research project shaped a parent-child engagement programme. In: CARN Bulletin 25. CARN (Collaborative Action Research Network), Dublin, Ireland, pp. 14-18. ISBN 978-1-910029-96-1

 

Goulding, Sonya, Rowsome-Kelly, Céilim and Alcala, Alexandra (2023) The Experiences of ParentChild+ Home Visitors Adopting a State of Curiosity When Reflecting on Their Self-Care. In: European Early Childhood Education Research Association 31st Conference (EECERA). EECERA, Lisbon, Portugal.

 

Hill, Rhonda (2023) Childhood Restored - Anything but Covid, an alphabet of artwork and poems by primary school children in the North-East Inner-City. In: CARN Bulletin 25. CARN (Collaborative Action Research Network), Dublin, Ireland, pp. 19-24. ISBN 978-1-910029-96-1

 

O'Neill, Jennifer, Goulding, Sonya and Alcala, Alexandra (2023) Parenting 365: A family-centred support programme for children with developmental delay and additional needs. In: CARN Bulletin 25. CARN (Collaborative Action Research Network), Dublin, Ireland, pp. 3-8. ISBN 978-1-910029-96-1

 

Wheatley, Emma (2023) The Effective Use of Community-led Restorative Approaches in North-East Inner-City Dublin. In: Restorative Practices Ireland National Conference. Restorative Practices Ireland (RPI), Kildare, Ireland.

 

Bleach, J. (2022) Real-World Ethical Experiential Practice Based Action Learning for the ‘New Normal’. In: International Handbook on the Teaching of Public Administration. Edward Elgar, pp. 139-147. ISBN 9781800375680.

 

Cummins, L. and Byrne, M. (2022) My Place Play: Creating a safe play space for infants living in emergency accommodation. In: European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA) Conference. EECERA, Glasgow, Scotland.

 

Darmody, K., Booth, J., O'Toole, F., Alcala, A., Bleach, J., Stynes, P. and Pathak, P. (2022) A STEM family eLearning framework to increase family engagement in disadvantaged communities. In: IADIS 16th International Conference on e-Learning. IADIS.

 

Darmody, K. and Mihalka, R. (2022) "Parents’ Voices Through the Pandemic – How a Community Action Research Project Shaped a Parent-Child Engagement Programme". In: Collaborative Action Research Network (CARN) Conference. CARN, Dublin, Ireland.

 

Dennehy, H., O’Neill, J., Goulding, S. and Darmody, K. (2022) Evaluation of the Parenting365 programme: Supporting children with additional needs living in an area of socio-economic disadvantage. In: National College of Ireland Research Day, 20 June 2022, National College of Ireland, Dublin.

 

Devine-Hutchinson, A., Hill, R. and Kavanagh, Á. (2022) "Childhood Restored". In: Collaborative Action Research Network (CARN) Conference. CARN, Dublin, Ireland.

 

Kavanagh, Á. (2022) "Use it or Lose it: Exploring new strategies for English as an Additional Language (EAL) Teaching and Learning in Secondary DEIS Schools". In: Collaborative Action Research Network (CARN) Conference. CARN, Dublin, Ireland.

 

Moore, M. and Krpeta, M. (2022) How to build capacity from within your team for programme sustainability – an Irish perspective. In: ParentChild+ Annual Conference. ParentChild+.

 

O'Neill, J., Goulding, S. and Alcala, A. (2022) "Parenting 365: A family-centred support pilot programme for parents with children with developmental delay and additional needs". In: Collaborative Action Research Network (CARN) Conference. CARN, Dublin, Ireland.

 

Wheatley, E. (2022) "A Restorative Journey — Through Community Action Research". In: Collaborative Action Research Network (CARN) Conference. CARN, Dublin, Ireland.

 

Bleach, J. (2020) Mentoring and Coaching and Their Relationship to Management and Leadership in Early Education. In Gasper, M. and Walker, R. (eds.) Mentoring and Coaching in Early Childhood Education. Bloomsbury Publishing, London. ISBN 9781350100725. 

 

Bleach, J. (2019) Key Messages on Partnership with Parents: Supporting Parents as the Primary Educators of their Children. In Mooney, B. (ed.). Ireland's Yearbook of Education 2018-2019. Early Childhood Chapter. Phyllis Mitchell, pp. 15-18. ISBN 9780995698727.

 

Moore, M. and Wheatley, E. (2019) An Exploration into the Effectiveness of the Parental Tool ‘Let’s Talk’ Book, in Supporting Parents to Develop Emotional Language. In McAteer, M., Hastings, C. and Wilby, C. (eds.) CARN Bulletin 22 - Voicing and Valuing: Daring and Doing. Collaborative Action Research Network, Manchester, UK, pp. 63-74. ISBN 978-1-910029-54-1. 

 

Bleach, J. (2018) Working with and listening to families. In Kocher, L. and Patterson, C. (eds.) Pedagogies for Children's Perspectives. Routledge, Abingdon. ISBN 9781138577473.

 

Bleach, J. (2017) Community Action Research in Ireland: Improving Educational Outcomes Through Collaboration in the Dublin Docklands. In Rowell L., Bruce C., Shosh J. and Riel M. (eds.) The Palgrave International Handbook of Action Research. Palgrave Macmillan, New York, pp. 177-188. ISBN 9781137441089.

 

Bleach, J. (2016) Sharing the Learning from Community Action Research. In J. McNiff (ed.) Values and Virtues in Higher Education Research: Critical Perspectives. Routledge, New York, pp. 126-140. ISBN 9781138916821.

 

Bleach, J. (2015) Improving Early Numeracy Outcomes. In Mooney, B. (ed.) Education Matters Yearbook 2015-2016: Shaping Ireland's Education Landscape. Education Matters, Dublin, pp. 73-75.

 

Bleach, J. (2014) Supporting Parents. In Reed, M. and Walker, R. A Critical Companion to Early Childhood. SAGE Publications Ltd., London, pp. 228-239. ISBN 9781446259269.

 

Bleach, J. (2013) Community action research: Providing evidence of value and virtue. In McNiff J. (ed.) Value and Virtue in Practice-Based Research. September Books, Poole, pp. 17-32. ISBN 9781902047041.

 

Fagan, B. (2012) The Parent Child Home Programme. In Hall, T. Education Matters Yearbook 2012: Your Companion Reader on Irish Education. Education Matters, Galway, pp. 36-37.

Early Learning Initiative (2024) "ELI Annual Report 2023-2024" Dublin: National College of Ireland.

 

Early Learning Initiative (2023) "ELI Annual Report 2022-2023" Dublin: National College of Ireland.

 

O'Neill, Siobhán and Dennehy, Holly (2023) "Experiences of Engaging with the Parenting365 Programme". Dublin: National College of Ireland.

 

O'Neill, Siobhán (2023) "Follow-up Evaluation Study of the ParentChild+ Programme". Dublin: National College of Ireland.

 

ABC Infant Mental Health Subgroup (2022) "A Framework for Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health: Supporting Young Children’s Mental health from Pregnancy to 5 Years" Dublin: Area Based Childhood Programme. 

 

ABC Infant Mental Health Subgroup (2022) "Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Position Paper: A Prevention & Early Intervention Approach to Mental Health" Dublin: Area Based Childhood Programme. 

 

ABC Oral Language Subgroup (2022) "Oral Language Services within the Area Based Childhood Programme" Dublin: Area Based Childhood Programme.

 

Early Learning Initiative (2022) "ELI Annual Report 2021-2022" Dublin: National College of Ireland.

 

Early Learning Initiative (2021) "ELI Annual Report 2020-2021" Dublin: National College of Ireland.

 

Early Learning Initiative (2020) "ELI Annual Report 2019-2020" Dublin: National College of Ireland.

 

Early Learning Initiative (2019) "ELI Annual Report 2018-2019" Dublin: National College of Ireland.

 

Early Learning Initiative (2018) "ELI Annual Report 2017-2018" Dublin: National College of Ireland.

 

Flood C. (2018) The Constitutional Role of Parents as the Primary Educators of their Children. Conference Report, Early Years Conference 2018.

 

O’Leary, T., Kent, G., Traynor, A. and Bleach, J. (2018) Talk2MeMore: Pilot Study Report. Dublin: Early Learning Initiative, National College of Ireland.

 

Brighter Futures Initiative - Research Report (2017) "Building Hope for Brighter Futures" Print Depot, Dublin. ISBN 9780905957364 (Written by children and young people aged 4-25 years old).

 

Early Learning Initiative (2017) "ELI Annual Report 2016-2017" Dublin: National College of Ireland.

 

Early Learning Initiative (2016) "ELI Annual Report 2015-2016" Dublin: National College of Ireland.

 

Early Learning Initiative (2015) "ELI Annual Report 2014-2015" Dublin: National College of Ireland.

 

Early Learning Initiative (2014) "ELI Annual Report 2013-2014" Dublin: National College of Ireland.

 

Share, M., Kerrins, L. and Greene, S. (2011) "Early Years Professionalism: An Evaluation of the Early Learning Initiative's Professional Development Programme in Community Childcare Centres in the Dublin Docklands". Dublin: National College of Ireland. ISBN 9780905957166.

 

Share, M., Doyle, E., Callahan, A., Greene, S., Wachtler, M. and Boyd, E. (2011) "Baseline Evaluation of the Dublin Docklands Parent Child Home Programme". Dublin: National College of Ireland. ISBN: 9780905957326.

 

Share, M. and McCarthy, S. (2011) "Baseline Evaluation of the Early Learning Initiative’s Stretch to Learn Programme in Primary Schools in the Dublin Docklands". Dublin: National College of Ireland. ISBN: 9780905957340.

 

Share, M., McCarthy, S. and Greene, S. (2011) "Baseline Evaluation of the Early Learning Initiative: Final Report". Dublin: National College of Ireland.

Early Learning Initiative (2022) "Childhood Restored: Anything but Covid". Early Learning Initiative, National College of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland. ISBN 9780905957517

 

Moore, M. and Wheatley, E., eds. (2017) 'Let's Talk: supporting children and families by encouraging a greater understanding and use of emotional language'. Early Learning Initiative, National College of Ireland, Dublin. ISBN 9780905957371. 

 

Bleach, Margaret, J. (2010) 'Parental Involvement in Primary Education in Ireland'. Liffey Press, Dublin. ISBN 9781905785797.

2022

Byrne, M. (2022) Home Visiting: a right for families in experiencing homelessness. In: PEIN Importance of House and Home Webinar, 18 October 2022, Online.

 

Cummins, L. (2022) My Place to Play - interagency collaboration in creating safe spaces to play for infants and toddlers living in international protection and emergency accommodation. In: End Child Poverty Week – Day Three- Play, Recreation and Participation, 12-16 September 2022, Dublin, Ireland. 

 

Cummins, L. and Byrne, M. (2022) My Place to Play: Creating a safe play space for infants, the story so far. In: Collaborative Action Research Network (CARN) Conference, 28-30 October 2022, Dublin, Ireland.

 

O'Neill, J. and O'Riordan, B. (2022) Early years literacy and numeracy supports in an area-based context: ParentChild+, Early Numeracy and Zoom Ahead With Books. In: National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) Family Learning Conference 2022, 24 November 2022, Dublin, Ireland.

 

Wheatley, E. (2022) Creating restorative communities: Collecting and using data on restorative practices. In: Restorative Community Development -National Webinar, 1 March 2022, Online.

Wheatley, E. (2022) Restorative Practice and Creating a Restorative Community — Learning from the NEIC. In: Louth Local Development Social Inclusion Week 2022, 30 September 2022.

Wheatley, E., Moloney, M., Dowling, J. and Bowes, J. (2022) The Effective Use of Community-led Restorative Approaches in North East Inner City Dublin. In: UK/Ireland Housing and Community Safety Hybrid Conference, 20 September 2022, Dublin, Ireland.

 

2021

Bleach, J. and Shinnick, M. (2021) ELI’s Partnership Approach. In: TU Dublin Community – Higher Education Partnership Seminar, 24 June 2021, Technological University Dublin.

 

Darmody, K. and Kent, G. (2021) Capturing the voices of parents of school aged children during the COVID-19 pandemic. In: Early Childhood Ireland Online Research Symposium 2021, 23-24 April 2021, Ireland (online). 

 

Flood, C., Darmody, K., Wheatley, E. and Goulding, S. (2021) The Path to a Restorative Neighbourhood: Restorative Practices in the North East Inner City 2014-2021. In: ELI Restorative Practices Webinar, 10 June 2021, National College of Ireland, Dublin (online). 

 

McGrath, L., Harris, A., Grennan, D. and Power, L. (2021) Ireland’s Call: Responding and Adapting to Family’s Needs During COVID19. In: ParentChild+ Virtual Conference, 18-20 May 2021, online. 

 

Wheatley, E. and Darmody, K. (2021) Creating Restorative Communities. In: National College of Ireland Research Day, 25 June 2021, National College of Ireland, Dublin (online). 

 

2020

 

2019

Bleach, J. (2019) Changing Lives through Community Action Research. In: JUC Public Administration Annual Conference 2019, 16-18 September 2019, Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK. 

 

Bleach, J. (2019) Imagining, Strategizing, Sharing and Scaling the Future through Community Action Research. In: CARN-ALARA Conference 2019, 17-19 October 2019, Hotel President, Split, Croatia. 

 

Bleach, J. (2019) Voice in Action Research. In: Network of Educational Action Researchers Ireland (NEARI) Meet 2019, 26 January 2019, Marino Institute of Education, Dublin, Ireland.

 

Byrne, M. and Pidgeon, A. (2019) My Place to Play Programme: creating a dedicated place to play for infants and their families living in emergency accommodation. In: OMEP Ireland National Conference 2019, 9 November 2019, Cork Institute of Technology, Cork, Ireland.

 

Cummins, L. (2019) My Place to Play - An Interagency Response to Support Infants and Parents Living in Emergency Homeless Accommodation. In: PPFS National Conference 2019, 4-5 December 2019, Hotel Kilkenny, Ireland. 

 

Cummins, L. and Connell. G. (2019). Robotic Coding Clubs: A Community Action Research Project. Presented at NCI 1^st Annual Research Day, 14^th June 2019. Cummins, L. and Connell, G. (2019) Robotic Coding Clubs: A Community Action Research Project. In: National College of Ireland Research Day, 14 June 2019, National College of Ireland, Dublin.

 

Kent, Gráinne (2019) A comparison of the home learning environment of families at risk of socio-economic disadvantage to national norms in Ireland. In: National College of Ireland Research Day, 14 June 2019, National College of Ireland, Dublin.

 

O'Buachain, C. (2019) FLORES Pilot Programme Parents and Children Learning about STEM Together. In: Early Childhood Ireland’s National Early Childhood Research Conference 2019, 12 April 2019, Croke Park Conference Centre.

 

Wheatley, E. (2019) Widening the Circle: Assessing the Impact of Implementing a Restorative Neighbourhood Approach to Improve Civil Society and Community Health in Dublin. In: 2019 IIRP Europe Conference: Community Well-Being and Resilience, 15-17 May 2019, Kortrijk, Belgium. 

 

2018

Bleach, J. (2018) 10 years of voicing and valuing: daring and doing community action research. In: CARN Conference 2018, 25-27 October 2018, Friends Meeting House, Manchester, UK. 

 

Byrne, M. (2018) Creating an Infant Play Space. In: Early Learning Initiative Early Years Conference 'The Constitutional Role of Parents as the Primary Educators of their Children’, June 2018, National College of Ireland, Dublin. 

 

Cummins, L. (2018) Finding my voice in a well-established community action research project: lessons learned. In: 8^th International Action Research Colloquium, 28-29 June 2018, O’Brien Science Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. 

 

Kent, G. and Kelly, Michelle E. (2018) An evidence-based, multidisciplinary and collaborative approach towards implementing a behaviourally orientated curriculum in a Department of Education Autism Preschool. In: 30^th Conference of the Irish Association of Teachers in Special Education, 25th May 2018, DCU St Patrick's Campus, Drumcondra, Dublin.

 

Kent, G. and Pitsia, V. (2018) Gender Differences in Cognitive Development and School Readiness. In: Children’s Research Network’s 7^th Annual Conference - "Growing Up in the Digital Environment", 6^th December 2018, Chartered Accountants House, Dublin.

 

Kent, G., Pitsia, V. and Colton, G. (2018) Accounting for differences in cognitive development at four years of age; a preliminary investigation. In: Developmental Section Annual Conference 2018, 12^th-14^th September 2018, Crowne Plaza, Liverpool City Centre, UK.

 

Kent, G., Pitsia, V. and Colton, G. (2018) Findings from an exploration of the Preparing for Life data as part of a research study funded under the Children’s Research Network Prevention and Early Intervention Research Initiative. In: Early Learning Initiative Early Years Conference 'The Constitutional Role of Parents as the Primary Educators of their Children’, June 2018, National College of Ireland, Dublin.

 

Krpeta, M., Ivanova, I. and Miao, Jing Xia, L. (2018) Supporting migrant families in our community. In: Early Learning Initiative Early Years Conference 'The Constitutional Role of Parents as the Primary Educators of their Children’, June 2018, National College of Ireland, Dublin. 

 

O'Leary, T., Hurley, O., Kirwan, S., Kent, G. and Bleach, J. (2018) Exploring early childhood language exposure in Irish homes. In: Early Childhood Irelands Research and Practice Seminar 2018, 13^th-14^th April 2018, Croke Park, Dublin.

 

O'Leary, T. and Kent, G. (2018) The Home Literacy Environment: A Comparison of Graduates of the Parent Child Home Programme to National Norms. In: Early Learning Initiative Early Years Conference 'The Constitutional Role of Parents as the Primary Educators of their Children’, June 2018, National College of Ireland, Dublin. 

 

O’Neill, J. (2018) Benefits of home visiting to early years. In: Childhood Development Initiative (CDI), 28 November 2018, Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland.

 

Moore, M. and Minogue, G. (2018) CRM Implementation and Impact. In: Parent-Child Home Programme Annual Conference, May 2018, Long Island, New York, U.S.A..

 

Moore, M., McGrath, L. and O’Neill, J. (2018) Parent Child Home Programme. In: Prevention and Early Intervention Network (PEIN) Conference, April 2018, Dublin, Ireland.

 

Pitsia, Vasiliki and Kent, Gráinne (2018) Variations in perception of five-year-old children's school readiness among parents and teachers. In: ICERI2018, the 11th annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation, 12^th-14^th November 2018, Seville, Spain.

 

Pitsia, Vasiliki, Kent, Gráinne and Colton, Gary (2018) Insights into the school readiness behaviours of 21st century learners living in areas designated as socio-economically disadvantaged. In: 48th Annual Conference of the Psychological Society of Ireland, 8^th-10^th November 2018, Clayton Whites Hotel, Wexford.

 

Wheatley, Emma (2018) Restorative Practice. In: RPI/RJF Education Symposium, April 2018, Newry Conference Centre, Newry, Northern Ireland.

 

Wheatley, Emma and Mooney, Karen (2018) Brighter Futures: A Vision for a Restorative Learning Community in Dublin, Ireland. In: 2018 IIRP Canada Conference: Leading and Sustaining Change, April 2018, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

 

Wheatley, E. and Moore, M. (2018) Let's Talk: emotional literacy book and programme. In: CARN Conference 2018, 25-27 October 2018, Friends Meeting House, Manchester, UK.

 

2017

Bleach, Josephine (2017) Community Action Research: Joys and Challenges. In: 7th annual International Action Research Colloquium, 29-30 June 2017, University College Dublin.

 

Bleach, J. (2017). Community Action Research: Validity. Presentation at the Network of Educational Action Researchers Ireland (NEARI), September 2017.

 

Bleach, J. and McGrath, L. (2017). Parent Child Home Programme. In: Workshop for Tusla Family Support Workers, Cherry Orchard, Ireland.

 

Kent, Gráinne and Pitsia, Vasiliki (2017) How do the home learning environment experiences in Ireland vary across diverse backgrounds? In: Psychological Society of Ireland Conference, 8^th-11^th November 2017, Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Limerick.

 

O’Buachain, C. (2017) Building Capacity and Promoting Numeracy Awareness, Early Numeracy Project, Dublin Docklands & East Inner City. Presentation at the Longford County Childcare Committee Leaders in Quality Awards Night 2017, October 2017.

 

Pitsia, Vasiliki and Kent, Gráinne (2017) Which factors can predict students' problem solving skills? The case of nine-year olds in Ireland. In: Growing Up in Ireland Research Conference, 7^th November 2017, Croke Park, Dublin. 

 

Wheatley, E. (2017). Zoom Ahead with Books: Development of Children’s Enthusiasm for Reading through Parental Involvement. In: OMEP Ireland Conference, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland. 

 

Wheatley, E. and Mooney, K. (2017). Cultivating Hope for Brighter Futures: Restorative Engagement to Promote Empathy in Children and Young People. In: UNESCO CFRC 8^th Biennial International Conference, National University of Ireland. Galway, Ireland.

 

Wheatley, E. and Mooney, K. (2017b). Cultivating Hope for Brighter Futures: Restorative Engagement in a Divided Community – Dublin. In: International Institute of Restorative Practices (IIRP) Europe Conference ‘Conflict in Europe: Meeting the Challenge’, Dublin. 

 

2016

Bleach, Josephine (2016) Nurturing Community Action Research. In: 4th Action Research Network of the Americas (ARNA) Conference, 16^th-18^th June 2016, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee.

 

Bleach, J. (2016). Using Community Action Research to Navigate Local, National and International Networks. In: CARN Conference, Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln. 

 

Bleach, J. (2016). Who’s minding the under-threes? The forgotten children. In: Researching Early Childhood Education Collaborative [RECEC], Marino Institute of Education, Dublin. 

 

Bleach, J. and Ferguson, P. (2016). Why do networks matter? In: CARN Conference, Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln.

 

Bleach, J. and Flood, C. (2016). Integrating research, capacity building and practice to improve educational outcomes. In: EAIR 38th Annual Forum. Birmingham, UK. 

 

Byrne, Marion, Kent, Gráinne and Conroy, Mairéad (2016) Engaging families through play. In: Early Childhood Ireland Research and Practice Seminar, 15^th April 2016, Croke Park, Dublin.

 

Kent, Gráinne and Anene, A. (2016) The Development and Impact of the Parent Child Home Programme in Ireland. In: Early Learning Initiatives Home Learning Environment Conference, 23^rd June 2016, National College of Ireland, Dublin. 

 

Kent, G., Anene, A., Bleach, J. and Fagan, B. (2016). The development of the Parent Child Home Programme in Ireland. In: European Early Childhood Education Research Association Conference, Dublin. 

 

Wheatley, Emma, Conroy, Mairéad and Kent, Gráinne (2016) Building capacity and promoting numeracy awareness - Dublin Docklands and East Inner City Early Numeracy Project. In: 26th EECERA Conference 2016, 31^st August - 1^st September 2016, Dublin City University, Dublin.

 

Wheatley, E. and Maguire, H. (2016) Creating a Legacy – Community Journeys in Restorative Practice. In: Restorative Practice Ireland Conference, 26^th May 2016, Dundalk Institute of Technology. 

 

2015

Bleach, Josephine (2015) Review of DEIS: Poverty and Social Inclusion in Education: A community-based approach to addressing educational disadvantage. In: INTO Educational Disadvantage Conference, 2^nd December 2015, St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra, Dublin.

 

Bleach, Josephine, Kinsella, William and Lalor, Terri (2015) Assessing Children's Early Mathematics Skills and Concepts. In: British Early Childhood Education Research Association Conference (BECERA), 17^th-18^th February 2015, mac Birmingham, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, UK.

 

Kent, Gráinne (2015) The Role of the Parent Child Home Programme in Supporting Better Outcomes in Education and Learning. In: Annual Children's Research Network in Ireland and Northern Ireland Conference, 10^th December 2015, Dublin.

 

Kent, Gráinne, Bleach, Josephine and Fagan, Beth (2015) Parent Child Home Programme. In: Early Childhood Ireland Research Conference, 18^th April 2015, Croke Park, Dublin.

 

Kent, Gráinne, Bleach, Josephine and Fagan, Beth (2015) The Role of the Parent Child Home Programme in Supporting Better Outcomes in Education and Learning. In: Annual Children's Research Network in Ireland and Northern Ireland Conference, 10^th December 2015, Dublin. 

 

Kent, Gráinne, Bleach, Josephine and Fagan, Beth (2015) Supporting Parents through the Parent Child Home Programme. In: UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre Conference, 11^th June 2015, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway.

 

McNally, Sinéad, Kent, Gráinne, Fagan, Beth and Bleach, Josephine (2015) 'Knowledge Exchange in Early Childhood Research and Practice: Findings from the Early Learning Initiative and the National College of Ireland'. In: OMEP Ireland AGM and Annual Research Conference, 25^th April 2015 University College Cork, Cork.

 

P. Matthews, J. Bleach and L. McGrath presented on the Parent Child Home Programme at the Ireland Funds Conference, June 2015. 

 

St Laurence O’Toole JBNS and E. Wheatley presented on the Early Numeracy Programme and Zoom Ahead with Books at the Teaching Council's Festival of Education in Learning and Teaching Excellence (Féilte), 3^rd October 2015, RDS, Dublin.

 

2014

Bleach, Josephine, Moore, Michelle and Ward, Moira (2014) Mathematics for children aged 3 years and under. In: National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)'s Maths Conference, 24^th November 2014 Dublin Castle Conference Centre, Dublin, Ireland.

 

Bleach, Josephine, Shinnick, Mark and Rourke, Aisling (2014) Mathematics for children aged 3-4 years. In: National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)'s Maths Conference, 24^th November 2014 Dublin Castle Conference Centre, Dublin, Ireland.

 

Fagan, B., Mc Grath, L. and Steenson C. presented on  Enjoying maths in the home, community or preschool: ideas for parents and children at the NALA family learning conference, November 2014.

2013

Bleach, Josephine (2013) From 18 months to 18 years - Supporting access to third level education. In: Higher Education Authority 2013 Conference: How Equal? Conference on Access to Higher Education in Ireland, 7^th November 2013 Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin 8.

 

Bleach, J. presented on the work of ELI at the Docklands Regeneration Conference, 2^nd May 2013, which was organised by Dublin City Council.

 

Fagan, B. presented on the work of the Early Learning Initiative at DIT Access & Civic Engagement Seminar, 24^th October 2013.

 

Fagan, B. and Zuniga, C. presented on Fidelity of the Programme – Parent Child Home Program(me) in a Different Culture at the Global Gathering for Childhood Conference, 17^th October 2013.

 

Flood, C. presented on A community based approach to involving parents in their children’s Early Numeracy Learning at the Global Gathering for Childhood Conference on 17^th October 2013, while Terri Lalor had a poster presentation on the NEYAI on 19^th October 2013. 

 

2012

Bleach, Josephine (2012) Community Action Research - improving practice and learning through collaboration. In: CARN/IPDC Conference 2012, 23^rd-25^th November 2012 Ashford International Hotel, Kent, England.

 

Bleach, Josephine (2012) Community Action Research: Providing Evidence of Value and Virtue. In: Second International Conference on Value and Virtue in Practice-Based Research Theme: Articulating our Values and Virtues, 11^th-12^th July 2012 York St John University, UK.

 

Bleach, Josephine (2012) National Early Years Access Initiative: Dublin Docklands Early Numeracy Project. In: European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA) 22nd Annual Conference, 29^th-31^st August 2012 Oporto, Portugal.

 

Bleach, Josephine (2012) Using community action research to improve early mathematical outcomes. In: British Early Childhood Education Research Association Conference (BECERA), 15^th-16^th February 2012 Birmingham.

 

Fagan, Beth (2012) Generating knowledge through the Parent Child Home Programme (PCHP). In: British Early Childhood Education Research Association Conference (BECERA), 15^th-16^th February 2012 Birmingham.

 

2011

Bleach, Josephine (2011) Developing ECCE practitioners' sense of professionalism through reflective practice and on-going professional development. In: European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA) 21st Annual Conference, 14^th-17^th September 2011, Geneva-Lausanne.

 

Bleach, Josephine (2011) Early Learning Initiative’s Parents Together Approach and Parenting Multiples. In: The Irish Multiple Births Association, 25^th September 2011, Clarion Hotel, Liffey Valley, Dublin.    

 

Bleach, Josephine (2011) Implementing Aistear through a Síolta lens. In: Our Children - Our Future Conference, PLE-Pedagogy, Learning and Education Research Conference, 20^th-21^st October 2011 IT Sligo.

 

Bleach, Josephine (2011) Implementing Values through Community Action Research. In: value and Virtue in Practice-Based Research, An International Conference, 1^st-2^nd June 2011, York St John University, UK.

 

Bleach, Josephine and Crowe, Brigina (2011) Discover University - Transitional Skill Development. In: 'Supporting Students in Transition', CSSI 13th Biannual Conference, 15^th-16^th June 2011 National College of Ireland, Dublin.

 

Bleach, Josephine and Crowe, Brigina (2011) Discover University - PBL Inter-disciplinary Project. In: 'Problem Based Learning (PBL) Today and Tomorrow', Facilitate International Conference, 26^th-27^th May 2011 Trinity College Dublin.

 

Bleach, Margaret, J. (2011) Using action research to support and develop quality practice. In: British Early Childhood Education Research Association Conference (BECERA), 23^rd-24^th February 2011 Birmingham.

 

Fagan, Beth (2011) A Good Beginning - The Parent Child Home Programme in Dublin. In: Our Children - Our Future Conference, 20^th-21^st September 2011 IT Sligo.

 

Fagan, Beth (2011) Parent Child Home Programme (PCHP). In: ‘Childhood Unfolding’, World Organisation for Early Childhood Education (OMEP) Ireland Annual Research Conference, 2^nd April 2011, Cork.

 

Lambert, Jonathan, Crowe, Brigina and Goldrick, Dr. Michael. (2011) A study into the effects if a Social Collaborative Learning Strategy to Enhance Student Engagement with Mathematics. In: 'Supporting Students in Transition', CSSI 13^th Biannual Conference, 15^th-16^th June 2011, National College of Ireland, Dublin.

 

2008

ELI (2008) Bringing PCHP to Dublin In: PCHP National Conference, May 2008, New York, U.S.A.. 

 

ELI (2008) Parental Involvement in their Children's Learning. In: Clondalkin Partnership Conference, 17^th November 2008, Dublin. 

 

Flood, C. and Crowe, B. (2008) Creating a Shared Vision – An Early Learning Initiative. In: European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECRA) 18^th Annual Conference, 4^th September 2008, Stavanger, Norway.