Researching Early Childhood Education: Voices from Malta Researching Early Childhood Education: Voices from Malta Editors: Peter Clough, Cathy Nutbrown, Jools Page University of Sheffield. School of Education Editorial Assistant : Karen Kitchen University of Sheffield. School of Education Cover image: Sue Mifsud Midolo St Catherine’s High School, Pembroke, Malta © 2012 The University of Sheffield and individual authors The University of Sheffield, School of Education, 388 Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2JA, UK email:
[email protected] ii © 2012 The University of Sheffield and individual authors Researching Early Childhood Education: Voices from Malta Researching Early Childhood Education: Voices from Malta CONTENTS Preface Professor Valerie Sollars iv A note from the editors vi About the authors vii PART 1 CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES 2 Revisiting my childhood: reflections on life choices Vicky Bugeja 3 Are you listening to me? Young children’s views of their childcare Karen Abela 21 setting Moving on to First grade: two children’s experiences Marvic Friggieri 40 “…And she appears to be invisible…” Imaginary companions and Christina Pace 58 children’s creativity Two of a kind?: A baby with Down Syndrome and his typically Laura Busuttil 75 developing twin. Living with Asthma at home and school Claire Grech 101 PART II LITERACY HOME AND SCHOOL 131 Five Maltese Mothers talk about their role in children’s early literacy Caroline Bonavia 132 development The impact of the home literacy environment on a child’s literacy Maria Camilleri 153 development