Turkish Journal of Health Science and Life, Oct 25, 2020
Human brain begins to develop from uterus to postnatal period, affected by a genetic program in w... more Human brain begins to develop from uterus to postnatal period, affected by a genetic program in which diet holds a distinguished role. Research evidence has shown that diet in early life has a significant long-term impact on health and development. Moreover, food deprivation during early life affects physiology and brain biochemistry and connects to possible brain disfunction. Breastfeeding is the natural way of feeding the infant and the young child, providing it with an ideal growth and health. Available research evidence proves positive impacts of breastfeeding to the intelligence index, showing higher rates for breast fed infants than formula fed infants. The main objective of this paper is to highlight the role of breastfeeding in child's brain development. The suggested psycho-cultural context of interpretation highlights a series of symbolic dimensions of breastfeeding along with socio-cultural implications that interact with meaning-making processes, consequent practices, relationships and social models.
Η παρούσα διατριβή μελετά την εμπειρία μιας ομάδας αμοιβαίας μάθησης εκπαιδευτικών ως προς τη δυν... more Η παρούσα διατριβή μελετά την εμπειρία μιας ομάδας αμοιβαίας μάθησης εκπαιδευτικών ως προς τη δυνατότητα προώθησης της κριτικής συνειδητοποίησης των συμμετεχόντων και πιθανών μετατοπίσεων στη σκέψη ή/και τη δράση τους. Σκοπός συγκρότησης της συγκεκριμένης ομάδας ήταν να λειτουργήσει ως ένα πλαίσιο, όπου οι ίδιοι οι συμμετέχοντες να εμπλακούν, μέσω του στοχαστικού διαλόγου, σε διεργασίες κριτικής διερεύνησης του τρόπου με τον οποίο νοηματοδοτούν την εκπαιδευτική πραγματικότητα και το ρόλο τους. Στο επίκεντρο της συλλογικής διερεύνησης τέθηκαν παγιωμένες πρακτικές, οι παραδοχές που τροφοδοτούν αυτές τις πρακτικές και οι ευρύτερες συνθήκες που τις διαμορφώνουν, καθιστώντας τες, έτσι, περισσότερο δεκτικές σε αμφισβήτηση και επαναπροσδιορισμούς. Η μέθοδος που υιοθετήθηκε για τη διεξαγωγή της έρευνας συνίσταται στο συνδυασμό κριτικής χειραφετητικής και συμμετοχικής έρευνας δράσης. Η έμφαση μετατοπίζεται στα ίδια τα υποκείμενα της έρευνας, τα οποία καλούνται να επανεξετάσουν κριτικά, υπό τ...
The present dissertation explores the experience of a mutual learning group of teachers, in terms... more The present dissertation explores the experience of a mutual learning group of teachers, in terms of the participants’ raising of critical consciousness and potential shifts in their way of thinking and/or acting. This particular group was constituted in order to function as a context where the participants themselves could critically explore through reflective dialogue, the way in which they make sense of educational reality and their role in it. Taken-for-granted practices, background assumptions and the wider conditions within which they are shaped, are set at the focus of the joint investigation for them to become more open and receptive to critical reasoning and renegotiations of meaning. The research method consists of a combination of critical emancipatory and participatory action research. Emphasis shifts to the participants in the study, who are invited to critically re-examine dimensions of their reality, according to new perspectives emerging as the result of the joint in...
This study aimed to investigate the transformative learning experiences of university students, n... more This study aimed to investigate the transformative learning experiences of university students, namely pre-service teachers from an Early Years University Department in Greece. A total of 127 students were involved. The data were collected by using the Learning Activities Survey (L.A.S.). The questionnaire is divided into four parts, consisting of closed and two open-ended questions (King, 2009). The basic research questions were: (a) What stages of perspective transformation students went through during their studies, (b) What educational experiences and what personal events that experienced during their studies contributed to their perspective transformation, and (c) What elements related to students' participation-presence at school contributed to change. It was noticed that critical reflection on assumptions, the third most important precursor step in fostering transformative learning, was one of the less common stages that students went through along with self-examination. Only 4 students went through all the stages of perspective transformation as described by Mezirow (2012). However, certain patterns of transformative learning experience were identified. The respondents were found to face disorienting dilemmas causing their awareness to be raised in terms of: (a) Previously held values, beliefs, points of view or expectations regarding children (b) Their role as early years practitioners and its impact on children, (c) The need to exceed taken for granted ideas and obsolete pedagogical perceptions and (d) The importance of self-awareness, personal growth, and empowerment. It was shown that specific educational/learning activities, especially those engaging their experience, their active participation, mutual understanding, support (between classmates or classmates and teacher) and cooperation as well as exercising theory in practice, triggered perspective transformation. These findings imply the need for cultivating a higher education learning environment that supports the practicing of strategies and the
According to Montessori, children learn more effectively when they discover knowledge on their ow... more According to Montessori, children learn more effectively when they discover knowledge on their own, through spontaneous exploratory learning and experiential approach to knowledge, focusing primari...
Early childhood is a basic stage for the child's later life. During this period the brain develop... more Early childhood is a basic stage for the child's later life. During this period the brain development and the foundations for cognitive development and social-emotional skills, is laid. Nutrition plays a key role in optimal brain function. When a child is adequately fed, the basis for smooth brain function is created. Nutritional deficiencies may affect the child's cognitive skills and behavior. Since rapid brain development occurs during the early years, this period may be particularly sensitive to deficiencies in the diet. Modern data shows that diet seems to be one of the most important growth and maturation factors in the brain both in infancy and childhood. In particular, fatty acids play a central role in brain tissue, iron deficiency causes disturbances in attention, memory and behavior, and is closely linked to lower cognitive indices. Long-term studies have shown that children with iron deficiency have lower school performance. In addition, zinc, as well as iodine and vitamins D and B12 deficiencies are likely to adversely affect brain function and memory. An inadequate diet usually causes multiple deficiencies of micronutrients with short-term and long-term effects on the functioning of the child's brain.
An overview of the research area reveals the importance of using biographical methods at a higher... more An overview of the research area reveals the importance of using biographical methods at a higher education level. However, in Greece, there is a lack of systematic research on such applications. This paper presents a study based on the biographical approach and specifically on the method of educational autobiography (EAB). More specifically, it presents an implementation of educational autobiography in the context of the academic education of students from a Department of Early Years Learning and Care. The purpose was to investigate the use of the specific method (EAB) as an innovative academic tool towards personal growth and professional development of the students in terms of promoting critical reflection and transformative processes about themselves and their role as Early Years Practitioners. The sample of participants consisted of 87 4th-year students attending an experiential laboratory course at an Academic Department of Early Years Learning and Care in Greece. The study fo...
Children's outdoor play is declining despite the clear interaction between play, learning and... more Children's outdoor play is declining despite the clear interaction between play, learning and child development. Therefore, the children need alternative forms of learning that, among other things, provide them with the opportunity to play outdoors. Forest schools recommend a pedagogical process that takes place in the natural environment, outside the narrow boundaries of the classroom, and seek free, unrestricted learning by promoting the child’s all-round development. Especially for preschool children, their social, motor and mental development is achieved in an experimental way. They combine the pedagogical program, the contract with nature, the research in early childhood and individualized learning opportunities. Learning outdoors can have a positive impact on the physical, cognitive and socio-emotional development of young children.
Emergencies like Covid-19 brought distance education to the fore, as countries were forced to clo... more Emergencies like Covid-19 brought distance education to the fore, as countries were forced to close the campuses and initiate online teaching. Many universities in the country supported a distance education program aimed at students who had experienced an unprecedented experience. Thus, 155 students from the Greek department of Early Years Learning & Care participated in the present study, which aimed to investigate the factors that influence learners’ perceptions and attitudes during distance learning. The survey was conducted through online distribution of questionnaires and investigated hypotheses about obstacles and changes in students’ perceptions of distance learning. The results of the descriptive statistical analysis showed that the role of the educator in this process, combined with the technical support of the courses, is extremely important. Also, educators’ presence is related to students’ anxiety. Article visualizations:
International Journal of Primary, Elementary and Early Years Education, 2020
According to Montessori, children learn more effectively when they discover knowledge on their ow... more According to Montessori, children learn more effectively when they discover knowledge on their own, through spontaneous exploratory learning and experiential approach to knowledge, focusing primarily on trusting the child and respecting his exceptional capabilities and skills. The Montessori educational approach was implemented in a public preschool setting in North Greece. Two years after the implementation of the Montessori approach, parents were invited to participate in focus groups interviews. According to parents’ views, children gained confidence in mathematics and reading stories by their own, cooperated more easily and resolved problems with maturity. The data indicates that in such an environment, the classroom becomes productive and the children individually give their personal interpretation of the information offered to them. KEYWORDS: Montessori approach, early years, parents, focus groups, interviews
This study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 disruption on university students, nam... more This study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 disruption on university students, namely pre-service teachers from an Early Years Learning and Care Department in Greece. The study was conducted by the end of the third month of higher education lockdown and online shift, a period which coincides with the completion of the online courses for the spring semester and students’ preparation for the long-distance exams. It was based on probing students’ reflections on the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on their perceptions and behavior. Α questionnaire with open-ended and closed-ended questions was designed and was filled in by 127 students of the specific Department online. The questions explored: (a) the degree to which the pandemic disruption experience affected students’ perceptions and actions regarding their social roles, the organization of social life, and the management of personal time; (b) the skills they consider as most important in order for someone to resp...
This paper presents a study aimed at investigating 3- to 4-year old children’s perceptions of fri... more This paper presents a study aimed at investigating 3- to 4-year old children’s perceptions of friendship and difference and the effects of the systematic use of art on these issues. There is a considerable number of scholars suggesting that art-based experience, as a form of expressive way of knowing, can contribute to the development of creative and critical thinking. The Project Zero research program from Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Philosophy for Children (P4C) pedagogical movement highlight the importance of promoting from the preschool age a critical way of thinking which exceeds mere argumentation and identifies with critical re-evaluation of the way we conceive reality and act. Our intervention was applied to 83 children from five preschool settings. Children were supported to systematically explore artworks of aesthetic value according to Τransformative Learning Through Aesthetic Experience (TLTAE) method aiming to raise participants’ creativity and critical...
Turkish Journal of Health Science and Life, Oct 25, 2020
Human brain begins to develop from uterus to postnatal period, affected by a genetic program in w... more Human brain begins to develop from uterus to postnatal period, affected by a genetic program in which diet holds a distinguished role. Research evidence has shown that diet in early life has a significant long-term impact on health and development. Moreover, food deprivation during early life affects physiology and brain biochemistry and connects to possible brain disfunction. Breastfeeding is the natural way of feeding the infant and the young child, providing it with an ideal growth and health. Available research evidence proves positive impacts of breastfeeding to the intelligence index, showing higher rates for breast fed infants than formula fed infants. The main objective of this paper is to highlight the role of breastfeeding in child's brain development. The suggested psycho-cultural context of interpretation highlights a series of symbolic dimensions of breastfeeding along with socio-cultural implications that interact with meaning-making processes, consequent practices, relationships and social models.
Η παρούσα διατριβή μελετά την εμπειρία μιας ομάδας αμοιβαίας μάθησης εκπαιδευτικών ως προς τη δυν... more Η παρούσα διατριβή μελετά την εμπειρία μιας ομάδας αμοιβαίας μάθησης εκπαιδευτικών ως προς τη δυνατότητα προώθησης της κριτικής συνειδητοποίησης των συμμετεχόντων και πιθανών μετατοπίσεων στη σκέψη ή/και τη δράση τους. Σκοπός συγκρότησης της συγκεκριμένης ομάδας ήταν να λειτουργήσει ως ένα πλαίσιο, όπου οι ίδιοι οι συμμετέχοντες να εμπλακούν, μέσω του στοχαστικού διαλόγου, σε διεργασίες κριτικής διερεύνησης του τρόπου με τον οποίο νοηματοδοτούν την εκπαιδευτική πραγματικότητα και το ρόλο τους. Στο επίκεντρο της συλλογικής διερεύνησης τέθηκαν παγιωμένες πρακτικές, οι παραδοχές που τροφοδοτούν αυτές τις πρακτικές και οι ευρύτερες συνθήκες που τις διαμορφώνουν, καθιστώντας τες, έτσι, περισσότερο δεκτικές σε αμφισβήτηση και επαναπροσδιορισμούς. Η μέθοδος που υιοθετήθηκε για τη διεξαγωγή της έρευνας συνίσταται στο συνδυασμό κριτικής χειραφετητικής και συμμετοχικής έρευνας δράσης. Η έμφαση μετατοπίζεται στα ίδια τα υποκείμενα της έρευνας, τα οποία καλούνται να επανεξετάσουν κριτικά, υπό τ...
The present dissertation explores the experience of a mutual learning group of teachers, in terms... more The present dissertation explores the experience of a mutual learning group of teachers, in terms of the participants’ raising of critical consciousness and potential shifts in their way of thinking and/or acting. This particular group was constituted in order to function as a context where the participants themselves could critically explore through reflective dialogue, the way in which they make sense of educational reality and their role in it. Taken-for-granted practices, background assumptions and the wider conditions within which they are shaped, are set at the focus of the joint investigation for them to become more open and receptive to critical reasoning and renegotiations of meaning. The research method consists of a combination of critical emancipatory and participatory action research. Emphasis shifts to the participants in the study, who are invited to critically re-examine dimensions of their reality, according to new perspectives emerging as the result of the joint in...
This study aimed to investigate the transformative learning experiences of university students, n... more This study aimed to investigate the transformative learning experiences of university students, namely pre-service teachers from an Early Years University Department in Greece. A total of 127 students were involved. The data were collected by using the Learning Activities Survey (L.A.S.). The questionnaire is divided into four parts, consisting of closed and two open-ended questions (King, 2009). The basic research questions were: (a) What stages of perspective transformation students went through during their studies, (b) What educational experiences and what personal events that experienced during their studies contributed to their perspective transformation, and (c) What elements related to students' participation-presence at school contributed to change. It was noticed that critical reflection on assumptions, the third most important precursor step in fostering transformative learning, was one of the less common stages that students went through along with self-examination. Only 4 students went through all the stages of perspective transformation as described by Mezirow (2012). However, certain patterns of transformative learning experience were identified. The respondents were found to face disorienting dilemmas causing their awareness to be raised in terms of: (a) Previously held values, beliefs, points of view or expectations regarding children (b) Their role as early years practitioners and its impact on children, (c) The need to exceed taken for granted ideas and obsolete pedagogical perceptions and (d) The importance of self-awareness, personal growth, and empowerment. It was shown that specific educational/learning activities, especially those engaging their experience, their active participation, mutual understanding, support (between classmates or classmates and teacher) and cooperation as well as exercising theory in practice, triggered perspective transformation. These findings imply the need for cultivating a higher education learning environment that supports the practicing of strategies and the
According to Montessori, children learn more effectively when they discover knowledge on their ow... more According to Montessori, children learn more effectively when they discover knowledge on their own, through spontaneous exploratory learning and experiential approach to knowledge, focusing primari...
Early childhood is a basic stage for the child's later life. During this period the brain develop... more Early childhood is a basic stage for the child's later life. During this period the brain development and the foundations for cognitive development and social-emotional skills, is laid. Nutrition plays a key role in optimal brain function. When a child is adequately fed, the basis for smooth brain function is created. Nutritional deficiencies may affect the child's cognitive skills and behavior. Since rapid brain development occurs during the early years, this period may be particularly sensitive to deficiencies in the diet. Modern data shows that diet seems to be one of the most important growth and maturation factors in the brain both in infancy and childhood. In particular, fatty acids play a central role in brain tissue, iron deficiency causes disturbances in attention, memory and behavior, and is closely linked to lower cognitive indices. Long-term studies have shown that children with iron deficiency have lower school performance. In addition, zinc, as well as iodine and vitamins D and B12 deficiencies are likely to adversely affect brain function and memory. An inadequate diet usually causes multiple deficiencies of micronutrients with short-term and long-term effects on the functioning of the child's brain.
An overview of the research area reveals the importance of using biographical methods at a higher... more An overview of the research area reveals the importance of using biographical methods at a higher education level. However, in Greece, there is a lack of systematic research on such applications. This paper presents a study based on the biographical approach and specifically on the method of educational autobiography (EAB). More specifically, it presents an implementation of educational autobiography in the context of the academic education of students from a Department of Early Years Learning and Care. The purpose was to investigate the use of the specific method (EAB) as an innovative academic tool towards personal growth and professional development of the students in terms of promoting critical reflection and transformative processes about themselves and their role as Early Years Practitioners. The sample of participants consisted of 87 4th-year students attending an experiential laboratory course at an Academic Department of Early Years Learning and Care in Greece. The study fo...
Children's outdoor play is declining despite the clear interaction between play, learning and... more Children's outdoor play is declining despite the clear interaction between play, learning and child development. Therefore, the children need alternative forms of learning that, among other things, provide them with the opportunity to play outdoors. Forest schools recommend a pedagogical process that takes place in the natural environment, outside the narrow boundaries of the classroom, and seek free, unrestricted learning by promoting the child’s all-round development. Especially for preschool children, their social, motor and mental development is achieved in an experimental way. They combine the pedagogical program, the contract with nature, the research in early childhood and individualized learning opportunities. Learning outdoors can have a positive impact on the physical, cognitive and socio-emotional development of young children.
Emergencies like Covid-19 brought distance education to the fore, as countries were forced to clo... more Emergencies like Covid-19 brought distance education to the fore, as countries were forced to close the campuses and initiate online teaching. Many universities in the country supported a distance education program aimed at students who had experienced an unprecedented experience. Thus, 155 students from the Greek department of Early Years Learning & Care participated in the present study, which aimed to investigate the factors that influence learners’ perceptions and attitudes during distance learning. The survey was conducted through online distribution of questionnaires and investigated hypotheses about obstacles and changes in students’ perceptions of distance learning. The results of the descriptive statistical analysis showed that the role of the educator in this process, combined with the technical support of the courses, is extremely important. Also, educators’ presence is related to students’ anxiety. Article visualizations:
International Journal of Primary, Elementary and Early Years Education, 2020
According to Montessori, children learn more effectively when they discover knowledge on their ow... more According to Montessori, children learn more effectively when they discover knowledge on their own, through spontaneous exploratory learning and experiential approach to knowledge, focusing primarily on trusting the child and respecting his exceptional capabilities and skills. The Montessori educational approach was implemented in a public preschool setting in North Greece. Two years after the implementation of the Montessori approach, parents were invited to participate in focus groups interviews. According to parents’ views, children gained confidence in mathematics and reading stories by their own, cooperated more easily and resolved problems with maturity. The data indicates that in such an environment, the classroom becomes productive and the children individually give their personal interpretation of the information offered to them. KEYWORDS: Montessori approach, early years, parents, focus groups, interviews
This study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 disruption on university students, nam... more This study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 disruption on university students, namely pre-service teachers from an Early Years Learning and Care Department in Greece. The study was conducted by the end of the third month of higher education lockdown and online shift, a period which coincides with the completion of the online courses for the spring semester and students’ preparation for the long-distance exams. It was based on probing students’ reflections on the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on their perceptions and behavior. Α questionnaire with open-ended and closed-ended questions was designed and was filled in by 127 students of the specific Department online. The questions explored: (a) the degree to which the pandemic disruption experience affected students’ perceptions and actions regarding their social roles, the organization of social life, and the management of personal time; (b) the skills they consider as most important in order for someone to resp...
This paper presents a study aimed at investigating 3- to 4-year old children’s perceptions of fri... more This paper presents a study aimed at investigating 3- to 4-year old children’s perceptions of friendship and difference and the effects of the systematic use of art on these issues. There is a considerable number of scholars suggesting that art-based experience, as a form of expressive way of knowing, can contribute to the development of creative and critical thinking. The Project Zero research program from Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Philosophy for Children (P4C) pedagogical movement highlight the importance of promoting from the preschool age a critical way of thinking which exceeds mere argumentation and identifies with critical re-evaluation of the way we conceive reality and act. Our intervention was applied to 83 children from five preschool settings. Children were supported to systematically explore artworks of aesthetic value according to Τransformative Learning Through Aesthetic Experience (TLTAE) method aiming to raise participants’ creativity and critical...
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Papers by Athina Charissi