معرفی
Natalie Brand is an early career postdoctoral researcher at Macquarie University's School of Education, affiliated with the Centre for Research in Early Childhood Education (CRECE). She holds an Academic Casual position and specializes in infant-toddler pedagogies, focusing on social interactions and language development in early childhood settings. Her work bridges theoretical research with practical applications in educator practices, emphasizing the role of conversation in learning.
Education:
- PhD in Education from Macquarie University (supervised by Prof. Sheila Degotardi and Dr. Emilia Djonov)
Research Interests:Natalie’s research explores toddlers’ language use, curriculum design for infants, and educator-child interactions. She employs qualitative methods like observations and NVivo analysis to study how everyday conversations in early childhood centres influence developmental trajectories. Her studies highlight the importance of learning-oriented talk in fostering language and cognitive skills.
Projects & Collaborations:Natalie leads the MQ Toddler TaLK project, investigating developmental trajectories of toddler talk (2.5–3.5 years). She co-authored reports on early childhood education pay conditions, addressing workforce challenges and policy recommendations. Her research collaborates closely with early childhood centres to translate findings into practical pedagogical strategies.
Labs & Teams:Her affiliations include CRECE and the Early Childhood Education Research Centre, where she contributes to interdisciplinary studies on child development and educational practices.
