title: Early Childhood Education as Sites for Children’s Citizenship: Tensions, challenges and possibilities in New Zealand’s policy framing

authors: Mitchell, Linda

subjects: New Zealand

abstract: This paper draws on recent research to examine the tensions and challenges inherent in the current market approach to provision of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) services in Aotearoa New Zealand. We use selected United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCROC) articles to evaluate what the market approach means and explore the implications for children and families. We argue that the market approach has led to duplications and gaps in service provision, and that it has produced inequities in access particularly for low income, ethnically diverse and rural families. We also argue that the market approach has not been able to realise the full potentials for what ECCE provision might look like as services that can offer the best possible support for children's learning and wellbeing, as well as family participation and support, social networks and community cohesion. We argue that we need to establish citizenry rights as a goal for policy development, especially policy about the nature and roles of ECCE provision. Our paper proposes how we might move to a new policy approach

text: Early Childhood Education as Sites for Children’s Citizenship: Tensions, challenges and possibilities in New Zealand’s policy framing This paper draws on recent research to examine the tensions and challenges inherent in the current market approach to provision of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) services in Aotearoa New Zealand. We use selected United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCROC) articles to evaluate what the market approach means and explore the implications for children and families. We argue that the market approach has led to duplications and gaps in service provision, and that it has produced inequities in access particularly for low income, ethnically diverse and rural families. We also argue that the market approach has not been able to realise the full potentials for what ECCE provision might look like as services that can offer the best possible support for children's learning and wellbeing, as well as family participation and support, social networks and community cohesion. We argue that we need to establish citizenry rights as a goal for policy development, especially policy about the nature and roles of ECCE provision. Our paper proposes how we might move to a new policy approach

year: 2010

title: Stress, Health, and Mindfulness: Exploring Relationships and Mechanisms Using Self-Report Measures

authors: Foster, Kristal Claire

subjects: stress

abstract: The relationship between stress and physical health has been well established in the medical and psychological literature. Mindfulness meditation is a practice that has been successfully used to reduce stress in several populations, and the construct itself has recently begun to be measured as a naturally occurring characteristic. A recent study demonstrating the significant relationships between mindfulness, stress, and physical health prompted the investigation in the present study of the possible mechanisms underlying these relationships. It was hypothesised that the relationship between mindfulness and physical health would be largely mediated by stress, and that in addition, mindfulness would explain a significant proportion of the variance in health after stress had been accounted for. Participants were 129 undergraduate students who completed a battery of self-report questionnaires including the Perceived Stress Scale, the Short-Form 36 Health Survey, and two recently developed measures of mindfulness; the Mindful Attention and Awareness Scale and the Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills. Perceived stress was shown to account for a large proportion of the relationship between mindfulness and health, and mindfulness was also shown to explain a significant proportion of the variance in physical health after stress had been controlled for. An additional finding was that acceptance demonstrated stronger relationships with both physical and mental health than any of the other components of mindfulness studied. Potential mechanisms of mindfulness that may help explain these findings are discussed.

text: Stress, Health, and Mindfulness: Exploring Relationships and Mechanisms Using Self-Report Measures The relationship between stress and physical health has been well established in the medical and psychological literature. Mindfulness meditation is a practice that has been successfully used to reduce stress in several populations, and the construct itself has recently begun to be measured as a naturally occurring characteristic. A recent study demonstrating the significant relationships between mindfulness, stress, and physical health prompted the investigation in the present study of the possible mechanisms underlying these relationships. It was hypothesised that the relationship between mindfulness and physical health would be largely mediated by stress, and that in addition, mindfulness would explain a significant proportion of the variance in health after stress had been accounted for. Participants were 129 undergraduate students who completed a battery of self-report questionnaires including the Perceived Stress Scale, the Short-Form 36 Health Survey, and two recently developed measures of mindfulness; the Mindful Attention and Awareness Scale and the Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills. Perceived stress was shown to account for a large proportion of the relationship between mindfulness and health, and mindfulness was also shown to explain a significant proportion of the variance in physical health after stress had been controlled for. An additional finding was that acceptance demonstrated stronger relationships with both physical and mental health than any of the other components of mindfulness studied. Potential mechanisms of mindfulness that may help explain these findings are discussed.

year: 2007

title: Kai whakakitenga-nui te whakatōhea: Whenua planning for kai security

authors: Maxwell, Te Kahautu

abstract: To exercise Tino Rangatiratanga in our pursuit to define our local food systems through the traditional knowledge and practice of growing kai that will inspire and transform the health and well-being of all Whakatōhea, Whānau, Hapū, Iwi.

text: Kai whakakitenga-nui te whakatōhea: Whenua planning for kai security To exercise Tino Rangatiratanga in our pursuit to define our local food systems through the traditional knowledge and practice of growing kai that will inspire and transform the health and well-being of all Whakatōhea, Whānau, Hapū, Iwi.

year: 2025