Contact details +6469517312
Associate Professor Tara McLaughlin BA, MEd, PhD
Associate Professor in Early Years
Doctoral Supervisor Institute of EducationI am a Senior Lecturer in the Institute of Education. Prior to this appointment, I was a Research Scientist at the University of Florida in the Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies. My teaching includes undergraduate and postgraduate papers in Early Years. As a teacher, teacher educator, and researcher in Early Years, I am committed to supporting learning environments that promote diverse and equitable opportunities for all children and families. I maintain an active research programme in range of topics related to early learning supports and services for young children, including children with disabilities, their families, and the teachers and specialists who serve them.
Professional
Contact details
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Ph: +64 6 3569099 ext. 84312
Location: 5.44, Social Science Tower Extension
Campus: Turitea
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts - Hobart and William Smith Colleges (2000)
- Master of Education - University of Florida (2003)
- Doctor of Philosophy - University of Florida (2011)
Research Expertise
Research Interests
- Promotion of children’s social-emotional development
- Prevention of challenging behavior
- Embedded instruction (intentional teaching) in natural learning environments
- Inclusive education
- Early intervention
- Teacher/school-family partnerships in early learning
- Interdisciplinary teaming
- Practical applications of the International Classification of Functioning –Child and Youth Version (ICF-CY)
- Comparative studies of program quality in early learning settings
- Professional learning for early childhood teachers
I approach research from a pragmatic perspective and use a range of methods to explore and examine research questions. I have extensive training in research and evaluation methodology, with a focus on single subject and group experimental design, measurement, statistical analysis, and secondary data analysis of extant data sets.
I believe research evidence should be informed from three inter-related sources of knowledge: 1) empirical research to identify relationships between teaching and learning for young children; 2) wisdom and experience of families and teachers to ensure teaching and learning practices are acceptable and feasible in real-life settings; and 3) community values and priorities to guide culturally relevant practices and desired outcomes for children.
Thematics
21st Century Citizenship, Health and Well-being
Area of Expertise
Field of research codes
Comparative and Cross-Cultural Education (130302):
Curriculum and Pedagogy (130200):
Early Childhood Education (excl. Maori) (130102):
Education (130000):
Education Assessment and Evaluation (130303):
Education Systems (130100):
Primary Education (excl. Maori) (130105):
Special Education and Disability (130312):
Specialist Studies in Education (130300):
Te Whariki (Maori Early Childhood Education) (130107):
Teacher Education and Professional Development of Educators (130313)
Research Projects
Completed Projects
Project Title: Leadership coaching for kaiako in early learning services in pedagogical leadership roles
Date Range: 2023 - 2024
Funding Body: Ministry of Education
Project Team:
- A/Pro Tara McLaughlin - Project Leader
Teaching and Supervision
Summary of Doctoral Supervision
| Position | Current | Completed |
|---|---|---|
| Main Supervisor | 6 | 3 |
| Co-supervisor | 2 | 2 |
Current Doctoral Supervision
Main Supervisor of:
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Elya Marfu'Atun
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Doctor of Philosophy
Developing Online Parent Training Program to Improve the Preschoolers' Socio-Emotional Competence -
Xiangning Li
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Doctor of Philosophy
Empowering Parents to Promote Inclusive Education in China: An Investigation of a Web- based/online Parent Education Resource -
Jess Smith
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Doctor of Philosophy
Early childhood teachers' perspectives of social-emotional teaching and learning in Aotearoa New Zealand -
Min Wang
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Doctor of Philosophy
Chinese Student Teachers鈥� Perspectives of Intentional Teaching in the Aotearoa New Zealand Early Childhood Education Context: A Mixed Methods Study -
Ellen Zeng
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Doctor of Philosophy
Latent profiles of children鈥檚 capabilities: Measurement invariance and differential item functioning across gender and ethnicity within a New Zealand preschool-aged cohort - view more...
Co-supervisor of:
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Emily Pearce
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Doctor of Philosophy
Drawing upon funds of knowledge to explore five year old mathematical understanding. -
Tamara Dahm
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Doctor of Philosophy
Collaboration between teachers and speech language therapists to positively impact children with language-related literacy needs.
Completed Doctoral Supervision
Main Supervisor of:
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2022
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Linda Clarke
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Doctor of Philosophy
Transforming early childhood teachers鈥� professional learning and development: A study of research, provision, and potential -
2020
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Sarah Aiono
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Doctor of Education
An Investigation of Two Models of Professional Development to Support Effective Teaching through Play Practices in the Primary Classroom -
2019
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Susan Bisschoff
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Doctor of Philosophy
Dynamic assessment as an early screening tool for identifying New Zealand children at risk of reading difficulty upon school entry
Co-supervisor of:
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2023
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Samantha Brydon
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Doctor of Philosophy
Empowering parents to use a core board with children who have complex communication needs: A multiple case study design -
2018
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Monica Cameron
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Doctor of Education
Assessing Four Year Old Children's Learning: New Zealand Early Childhood Teachers' Purposes, Practices and Knowledge