Honorary Research Fellow
Faculty of Social Sciences Colin Bell Building, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA
My research focuses on children’s learning in the early years and the ways in which this is supported in preschool settings and at home. I am interested in children’s experiences, the perspectives of their parents and the practices and professional knowledge and beliefs of practitioners in early care and education settings. This interest in pedagogic actions and interactions is at the centre of my research into young children’s engagement with new technologies, approaches to learning in preschool and at the beginning of primary school and Gaelic-medium early years education. Projects looking at the practices of childminders caring for children under three years old and at the literature on educational interventions for the under three’s are extending my work on pedagogy and the influence of the context in which children are growing up. With Lydia Plowman and Joanna McPake I co-directed a series of Economic and Social Research Council-funded projects researching children’s engagement with technologies: Interplay: Play, Learning and ICT looked at their experiences with technology in the preschool playroom while Entering e-Society: Young children’s development of e-literacy and Young Children Learning with Toys and Technology at Home were both concerned with playing and learning with technologies at home. My research on Gaelic-medium preschool education has been carried out with Joanna McPake (University of Strathclyde) and Wilson McLeod (University of Edinburgh). We have reviewed Gaelic-medium early education and childcare in Scotland and investigated the pedagogical challenges experienced by children and practitioners in language-immersion settings. In September 2013 I was a Visiting Academic at the Early Years Research Centre, University of Waikato, New Zealand https://education.waikato.ac.nz/the-early-years-research-centre/ . I am the convenor of the Scottish Educational Research Association Early Years Network and a member of the editorial board of Early Years and the International Journal of Early Years Education.
Pre-school education and care Pedagogy Cultures of practice
Evaluation of 0-3 Gaelic early years sector
PI: Dr Christine Stephen
Funded by: Bord Na Gaidhlig
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Exploring views on 'nurture' approaches to early years provision in Glasgow
PI: Dr Christine Stephen
Funded by: Glasgow Centre for Population Health
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Community Childminders: a model for early intervention
PI: Dr Christine Stephen
Funded by: Scottish Childminding Association
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Young children learning in Gaelic: Towards an effective pedagogy
PI: Dr Christine Stephen
Funded by: The British Academy
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Young children learning with toys and technology at home
PI:
Funded by: Economic and Social Research Council
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Review of Gaelic Medium Early Years and Childcare Provision
PI: Dr Christine Stephen
Funded by: Bord Na Gaidhlig and Scottish Government
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Critical Issues for Pre-Scholl Education- Towards a Research Agenda
PI: Dr Christine Stephen
Funded by: Economic and Social Research Council
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Article
Nurture corners in preschool settings: involving and nurturing children and parents
Stone K, Burgess C, Daniel B, Smith J & Stephen C (2017) Nurture corners in preschool settings: involving and nurturing children and parents. Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, 22 (4), pp. 383-396. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632752.2017.1309791
Research Report
Nurturing Citizenship in the Early Years
Stephen C & Gadda A (2017) Nurturing Citizenship in the Early Years. Glasgow Centre for Population Health. University of Stirling. http://www.gcph.co.uk/publications/738_nurturing_citizenship_in_the_early_years
Article
Ang L, Brooker E & Stephen C (2017) A Review of the Research on Childminding: Understanding Children's Experiences in Home-Based Childcare Settings. Early Childhood Education Journal, 45 (2), pp. 261-270. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-016-0773-2
Article
McPake J & Stephen C (2016) New technologies, old dilemmas: theoretical and practical challenges in preschool immersion playrooms. Language and Education, 30 (2), pp. 106-125. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500782.2015.1103257
Article
Early Years Immersion: Learning from Children's Playroom Experiences
Stephen C, McPake J, Pollock I & McLeod W (2016) Early Years Immersion: Learning from Children's Playroom Experiences. Journal of Immersion and Content-Based Language Education, 4 (10), pp. 59-85. https://benjamins.com/#catalog/journals/jicb.4.1.03ste/details
Book Chapter
Young Children Thinking and Learning With and About Digital Technologies
Stephen C (2014) Young Children Thinking and Learning With and About Digital Technologies. In: Robson S & Flannery QS (eds.) Routledge International Handbook of Young Children's Thinking and Understanding. Routledge International Handbooks of Education. London: Routledge, pp. 345-353. http://www.guilfordpress.co.uk/books/details/9780415816427/
Book Chapter
Stephen C & Plowman L (2014) Digital Play. In: Brooker L, Blaise M & Edwards S (eds.) SAGE Handbook of Play and Learning in Early Childhood. London: SAGE. http://www.uk.sagepub.com/books/Book238843?crossRegion=eur&q=brooker&prodTypes=any&sortBy=defaultPubDate%20desc&fs=1
Research Report
Taking the Documentation Approach to Early Learning into Primary 1
Stephen C (2014) Taking the Documentation Approach to Early Learning into Primary 1. Research Briefing, 8. School of Education, University of Stirling.
Research Report
Stephen C & Duncan PA (2014) Community Childminding. Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) Research Findings. Scottish Childminding Association.
Article
Digital technologies, play and learning
Stephen C & Plowman L (2013) Digital technologies, play and learning. Early Childhood Folio, 17 (2), pp. 3-8. http://www.nzcer.org.nz/nzcerpress/early-childhood-folio/articles/digital-technologies-play-and-learning
Article
Plowman L & Stephen C (2013) Guided Interaction: Exploring how Adults can Support Children's Learning with Technology in Preschool Settings. Hong Kong Journal of Early Childhood, 12 (1), pp. 15-22. http://libdr1.ied.edu.hk/pubdata/img00/arch00/link/archive/1/instarh/3350_image_vol12_no1.pdf
Article
Young children engaging with technologies at home: the influence of family context
Stephen C, Stevenson O & Adey C (2013) Young children engaging with technologies at home: the influence of family context. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 11 (2), pp. 149-164. http://ecr.sagepub.com/; https://doi.org/10.1177/1476718X12466215
Book Chapter
Stephen C & Plowman L (2012) Veiledet samspill I barnehagen: undersøkelse av hvordan voksne kan støtte barns læring med digitale medier [Veiledet samspill i barnehagen: undersokelse av hvordan voksne kan stotte barns laering med digitale medier]. In: Jaeger H & Torgersen J (eds.) Medialisert barndom: Digital kultur i barnehagen. Oslo: Universitetsforlaget, pp. 126-143. http://www.universitetsforlaget.no/boker/boker_som_kommer/katalog?productId=61747771
Book Chapter
Stephen C (2012) Learning in Early Childhood. In: Jarvis P & Watts M (eds.) The Routledge International Handbook of Learning. Routledge International Handbooks of Education. Abingdon: Routledge, pp. 103-111. https://www.routledge.com/products/9780415571302
Article
Looking for theory in preschool education
Stephen C (2012) Looking for theory in preschool education. Studies in Philosophy and Education, 31 (3), pp. 227-238. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11217-012-9288-5
Article
Stephen C, McPake J & McLeod W (2012) Playing and learning in another language: ensuring good quality early years education in a language revitalisation programme. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 20 (1), pp. 21-33. http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/1350293X.asp; https://doi.org/10.1080/1350293X.2012.650009
Research Report
Stephen C, McPake J, McLeod W & Pollock I (2011) Young Children Learning in Gaelic: Investigating children's learning experiences in Gaelic-medium preschool. Research Briefing, 6E. University of Stirling.
Research Report
Stephen C, McPake J & McLeod W (2011) Clann Òga ag Ionnsachadh sa Ghàidhlig: A’ sgrùdadh eòlasan ionnsachaidh chloinn òga ann an ro-sgoil tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig. Research Briefing, 6G. University of Stirling. http://www.soillse.ac.uk/downloads/Clann%20%C3%92ga%20ag%20Ionnsachadh%20sa%20Gh%C3%A0idhlig_1.pdf
Book Chapter
Digital technologies at home: the experiences of 3- and 4-year-olds in Scotland
Stephen C, McPake J & Plowman L (2011) Digital technologies at home: the experiences of 3- and 4-year-olds in Scotland. In: Miller L, Cable C & Drury R (eds.) Extending Professional Practice in the Early Years. London: Sage/ The Open University, pp. 184-192. http://www.uk.sagepub.com/books/Book236961
Article
Parents, pre-schoolers and learning with technology at home: some implications for policy
Plowman L, Stevenson O, McPake J, Stephen C & Adey C (2011) Parents, pre-schoolers and learning with technology at home: some implications for policy. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 27 (4), pp. 361-371. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2729.2011.00432.x
Research Report
Playing and Learning with Technologies
Stephen C (2011) Playing and Learning with Technologies. Scottish Universities Insight Institute. Research Briefing, 2.
Article
Martlew J, Stephen C & Ellis J (2011) Play in the primary school classroom? The experience of teachers supporting children's learning through a new pedagogy. Early Years, 31 (1), pp. 71-83. https://doi.org/10.1080/09575146.2010.529425
Book Chapter
The early years research-policy-practice nexus: Challenges and opportunities
Stephen C (2010) The early years research-policy-practice nexus: Challenges and opportunities. In: Yelland N (ed.) Contemporary perspectives on early childhood education. 1 ed. Maidenhead: Open University Press, pp. 248-264. http://www.mcgraw-hill.co.uk/html/0335237878.html
Book Chapter
Digital technologies at home: The experiences of 3- and 4-year-olds in Scotland
Stephen C, McPake J & Plowman L (2010) Digital technologies at home: The experiences of 3- and 4-year-olds in Scotland. In: Clarke M & Tucker S (eds.) Early Childhoods in a Changing World. Stoke-on-Trent: Trentham, pp. 145-154. http://trentham-books.co.uk/acatalog/Early_Childhoods_in_a_Changing_World.html
Authored Book
Growing Up With Technology: Young Children Learning in a Digital World
Plowman L, Stephen C & McPake J (2010) Growing Up With Technology: Young Children Learning in a Digital World. London: Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/Growing-Up-With-Technology-Young-Children-Learning-in-a-Digital-World/Plowman-Stephen-McPake/p/book/9780415468923
Article
Taking active learning into the primary school: a matter of new practices?
Stephen C, Ellis J & Martlew J (2010) Taking active learning into the primary school: a matter of new practices?. International Journal of Early Years Education, 18 (4), pp. 315-329. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669760.2010.531916
Article
Supporting young children's learning with technology at home and in preschool
Plowman L, Stephen C & McPake J (2010) Supporting young children's learning with technology at home and in preschool. Research Papers in Education, 25 (1), pp. 93-113. https://doi.org/10.1080/02671520802584061
Article
Pedagogy: the silent partner in early years learning
Stephen C (2010) Pedagogy: the silent partner in early years learning. Early Years, 30 (1), pp. 15-28. https://doi.org/10.1080/09575140903402881
Article
The technologisation of childhood? Young children and technology in the home
Plowman L, McPake J & Stephen C (2010) The technologisation of childhood? Young children and technology in the home. Children and Society, 24 (1), pp. 63-74. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1099-0860.2008.00180.x
Book Chapter
Growing Up with Technology: Young children learning in a digital world
Plowman L, Stephen C & McPake J (2009) Growing Up with Technology: Young children learning in a digital world. In: Plowman L, Stephen C & McPake J (eds.) Growing Up With Technology: Young Children Learning in a Digital World. Abingdon: Taylor & Francis (Routledge), pp. 8-21. http://www.routledgeeducation.com/books/Growing-Up-With-Technology-isbn9780415468923
Article
'They should try to find out what the children like': Exploring Engagement in Learning
Stephen C, Cope P, Oberski I & Shand P (2008) 'They should try to find out what the children like': Exploring Engagement in Learning. Scottish Educational Review, 40 (2), pp. 17-28. http://www.scotedreview.org.uk/pdf/100.pdf
Article
Just picking it up? Young children learning with technology at home
Plowman L, McPake J & Stephen C (2008) Just picking it up? Young children learning with technology at home. Cambridge Journal of Education, 38 (3), pp. 303-319. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057640802287564
Article
The big picture? Video and the representation of interaction
Plowman L & Stephen C (2008) The big picture? Video and the representation of interaction. British Educational Research Journal, 34 (4), pp. 541-565. https://doi.org/10.1080/01411920701609422
Article
Enhancing learning with information and communication technologies in pre-school
Stephen C & Plowman L (2008) Enhancing learning with information and communication technologies in pre-school. Early Child Development and Care, 178 (6), pp. 637-654. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430600869571
Article
Learning from the children: exploring preschool children's encounters with ICT at home
Stephen C, McPake J, Plowman L & Berch-Heyman S (2008) Learning from the children: exploring preschool children's encounters with ICT at home. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 6 (2), pp. 99-117. https://doi.org/10.1177/1476718X08088673
Research Report
Entering e-Society: Young children's development of e-literacy
McPake J, Stephen C & Plowman L (2007) Entering e-Society: Young children's development of e-literacy. Economic and Social Research Council. ESRC. http://www.ioe.stir.ac.uk/research/projects/esociety/documents/Enteringe-SocietyreportJune2007.pdf
Article
Guided interaction in pre-school settings
Plowman L & Stephen C (2007) Guided interaction in pre-school settings. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 23 (1), pp. 14-26. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2729.2007.00194.x
Research Report
Supporting learning with ICT in pre-school settings
Plowman L & Stephen C (2006) Supporting learning with ICT in pre-school settings. Economic and Social Research Council. Teaching and Learning Research Briefing, 15. Teaching and Learning Research Programme (TLRP). http://www.tlrp.org/pub/research.html
Research Report
Early Years Education: Perspectives from a Review of the International Literature
Stephen C (2006) Early Years Education: Perspectives from a Review of the International Literature. Social Research. Scottish Executive Education Department. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/01/26094635/0
Research Report
McPake J, Stephen C, Plowman L, Sime D & Downey S (2005) Already at a disadvantage? ICT in the home and children's preparation for primary school (ICT research bursaries 2004 - Final Report). Becta ICT research bursaries. Becta (British Educational Communication and Technology Agency). http://partners.becta.org.uk/index.php?section=rh&rid=13653
Article
Children, play and computers in pre-school education
Plowman L & Stephen C (2005) Children, play and computers in pre-school education. British Journal of Educational Technology, 36 (2), pp. 145-157. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8535.2005.00449.x
Article
The culture of practice in pre-school provision: outsider and insider perspectives
Stephen C & Brown S (2004) The culture of practice in pre-school provision: outsider and insider perspectives. Research Papers in Education, 19 (3), pp. 323-344. https://doi.org/10.1080/0267152042000247990
Article
What makes All-day Provision Satisfactory for Three and Four Year Olds
Stephen C (2003) What makes All-day Provision Satisfactory for Three and Four Year Olds. Early Child Development and Care, 173 (6), pp. 577-588. https://doi.org/10.1080/0300443031000071941
Article
A 'benign addition'? Research on ICT and pre-school children
Plowman L & Stephen C (2003) A 'benign addition'? Research on ICT and pre-school children. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 19 (2), pp. 149-164. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.0266-4909.2003.00016.x
Article
An Inclusive Perspective on Transition to Primary School
Stephen C & Cope P (2003) An Inclusive Perspective on Transition to Primary School. European Educational Research Journal, 2 (2), pp. 262-276. http://www.wwwords.co.uk/rss/abstract.asp?j=eerj&aid=1720; https://doi.org/10.2304/eerj.2003.2.2.5
Article
Information and Communications Technologies in Pre-school settings: a review of the literature
Stephen C & Plowman L (2003) Information and Communications Technologies in Pre-school settings: a review of the literature. International Journal of Early Years Education, 11 (3), pp. 223-234. https://doi.org/10.1080/0966976032000147343
Article
A role for practising teachers in initial teacher education
Cope P & Stephen C (2001) A role for practising teachers in initial teacher education. Teaching and Teacher Education, 17 (8), pp. 913-924. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?partnerID=yv4JPVwI&eid=2-s2.0-0035604601&md5=402fad205069a3ad3013e8582e496cee; https://doi.org/10.1016/S0742-051X%2801%2900040-3