Meripa Toso

Title of research: Critical Spiritual Pedagogy in early childhood education

"My research is around the importance of critical spiritual
pedagogy for teachers to support positive dispositional learning for all
children, with specific focus on infant and toddler pedagogies.

"One of the inspirations for this research has been the notion of
Pasifika perspectives for learning and teaching to be shared, and what this means for children’s understandings of identity.

"My research outlines a range of perspectives that are to be
considered when teaching and supporting learning for Pasifika children; and as research informs practice, I hope that this will have an impact on future practice.

"I have found through this research that spirituality is complex
and within teacher pedagogy for Pasifika teachers within Aotearoa,
understanding of how this is displayed through young children’s exploration of their environment needs to be documented, researched further and supported tenfold.   

"My research gives a range of strategies for learning and teaching
to assist and uphold children’s sense of agency, identity and celebrate knowing as they interact with others and the environment daily.

"The support colleagues at the Faculty of Education and Social Work
have given in order for me to do what I am doing has been the best part about researching here. Opportunities for funding have assisted me in all I do about research and teaching.

"To other young researchers, my advice is: do what you believe in,
and believe that it will make a difference for others."