Early childhood fellowship to be used to support children with a parent in prison

9am Monday 15 May 2018
How can early childhood teachers best support children who have a parent in prison?

Auckland Kindergarten Association teacher Charlotte Roberston is going to explore international responses to that question with the help of a $15,000 travel fellowship.

The Margaret M Blackwell Travel Fellowship is awarded annually to a person working in early childhood education to enable international study that will benefit the profession in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Ms Robertson has already led workshops for early education teachers to raise awareness of what children with a parent in prison face.

‘When a parent is imprisoned, children experience trauma—from changes in kinship and care, to financial strain, and the challenges of visiting and reintegration,’ Ms Robertson says.

Ms Robertson will travel to Australia, the United States, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the United Kingdom to meet with researchers and practitioners and investigate innovations. Her focus is on practical and appropriate ways early childhood teachers can support affected children.

The Margaret M Blackwell Travel Fellowship is administered by NZCER on behalf of the Trustees.

ends

© Scoop Media