Researcher Details |

Geraldine French

Contact Details

Programme Chair, Master of Education In Early Childhood Education

F345
St Patrick's Campus

E:geraldine.french@dcu.ie

Head of School of Language, Literacy and Early Childhood Education

F345
St Patrick's Campus

T:+353 1 700 9043

E:geraldine.french@dcu.ie

Dr Geraldine French is an Associate Professor, the Head of School of Language, Literacy and Early Childhood Education, the Programme Chair of the Master of Education in Early Childhood Education, and Senior Fellow of Advance HE. Geraldine is a specialist in early childhood education. Her doctoral thesis is in the area of pedagogical interactions between adults and very young children in early childhood settings with a particular focus on educational inequality. She has worked for a variety of governmental and voluntary organisations, national and international, in conducting continued professional development, research, needs analysis, evaluations, and consultancy for strategic planning. Commissioning bodies have included: The Arts Council, Barnardos, Better Start, Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education, Childhood Development Initiative, Children's Books Ireland, European Programme to Combat Social Exclusion, Fingal Libraries, Katharine Howard Foundation, National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, the Department of Education among others. Geraldine has published in the areas of parenting and the experience of poverty amongst families with very young children. In the context of early childhood settings, Geraldine has published on quality professional practice, supporting early language, literacy, numeracy, and nurturing babies’ learning and development. Recent publications include the Literature Review to Support the Updating of Aistear, the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework, and the Literature Review to Update the Lieracy/Digital Literacy and Numeracy Strategy.

Book

	Year	Publication
	2018	French, G. (2018) The time of their lives: Nurturing babies' learning and development in early childhood settings. Dublin: Barnardos.
	2013	French, G. (2013) Early speech and language matters: Enriching the communication environment and language development in early childhood. Dublin: Barnardos.
	2012	French, G. (2012) Early literacy and numeracy matters: Enriching literacy and numeracy experiences in early childhood. Dublin: Barnardos.
	2008	French, G. (2008) Supporting Quality: Guidelines for Professional Practice in Early Childhood Services, Book I Policy and Governance. Dublin: Barnardos.
	2008	French, G. (2008) Supporting Quality: Guidelines for Professional Practice in Early Childhood Services, Book 2 Enhancing Children’s Learning and Development. Dublin: Barnardos.
	2005	French, G. & Murphy, P. (2005) Once in a lifetime: Early childhood care and education for children from birth to three. Dublin: Barnardos.

Book Chapter

	Year	Publication
	2022	Moloney, M.; French, G. (2022) 'The road less travelled: The journey towards establishing a graduate- led early childhood education and care workforce in Ireland' In: Early Childhood Education and Care in Ireland: Charting a Century of Developments (1921-2021). [Link]
	2012	French, G. (2012) 'The HighScope Approach to Early Learning' In: Early Childhood Education and Care. An Introduction for Students in Ireland. Dublin : Gill and MacMillan.
	2006	French, G. (2006) 'Valuing community playgroups: Lessons for policy and practice' In: Exploring children’s lives: A handbook of educational research. Cork : University College Cork with OMEP Ireland.

Edited Book

	Year	Publication
	2018	Brian Mooney (Ed.). (2018) Ireland's Yearbook of Education. Dublin: Education Matters,

Peer Reviewed Journal

	Year	Publication
	2021	Lake, G; Urban, M; Giblin, F; French, G; Farrell, T (2021) 'Making a difference in the real world. User-centred impact evaluation of an eight-country, community-based early childhood programme'. Evaluation and Program Planning, 92 . [DOI]
	2021	French, G. (2021) 'Slow relational pedagogy with babies and toddlers'. An Leanbh Óg: OMEP Ireland journal of early childhood studies, 14 (1):134-246.
	2013	French, G. (2013) 'Early literacy and numeracy matters'. An Leanbh Óg: OMEP Ireland journal of early childhood studies, 7 :31-45.
	2022	Lake, Gillian; Urban, Mathias; Giblin, Fiona; French, Geraldine; Farrell, Therese (2022) 'Making a difference in the real world'. Evaluation and Program Planning, . [DOI]

Other Journal

	Year	Publication
	2017	Geraldine French (2017) 'How to encourage empathy from birth: Neurological roots and the importance of responsive practice' (2) :7-11.
	2013	French, G. (2013) 'Aistear: A journey without a road map' (2) :2-8.

Conference Publication

	Year	Publication
	2008	French, G. & Zappone, K. (2008) Vision into Practice *The Childhood Development Initiative: Developing Quality Services* Dublin Castle, 08/02/2007- 10/02/2007
	2002	French, G. (2002) The children’s agenda: Familiar issues, emerging concerns . In: Geraldine French eds. *Problem-solving in HighScope: an Early Years Educational Approach* Limerick, Ireland, 28/08/2001- 31/08/2001

Conference Contribution

	Year	Publication
	2019	Lake, G, Urban, M, Giblin, F, French, G, Farrell, T (2019) European Early Childhood Education Research Association TOY to Share, Play to Care - Impact Evaluation Thessaloniki, Greece, 20/08/2019-23/08/2019.
	2017	French, G. (2017) Right up to 3 Kilkenny and Carlow County Childcare Committee Conference 'It's not just what we say - it's how, when, where and why that we say it': Nurturing wellbeing through responsive interactions Kilkenny, 11/11/2017-11/11/2017.
	2017	French, G. (2017) BKK 3rd Scientific Congress of Child Care Quality Invited to give a key note address on Quality practice requires quality early childhood educators Rotterdam, 12/10/2017-12/10/2017.
	2016	French, G. (2016) Happiness, relationships, emotions and deep level learning A presentation on adult-child interactions Dublin, Ireland, 01/10/2016-03/10/2016.
	2016	French, G. (2016) Different ways, one goal? International approaches to quality: regulation and assurance in early childhood Invited to give the end note address on 'From monitoring to modelling quality' in ECE Berlin, 10/11/2016-11/11/2016.
	2016	Geraldine French (2016) Different ways one goal? International approaches to quality: regulation and assurance in early childhood Invited to give the end note address on 'From monitoring to modelling quality' in ECE Berlin, 10/11/2016-11/11/2016.
	2016	French, G. (2016) Happiness, relationships, emotions and deep level learning Let them talk: A poster on the evaluation of the Language Enrichment Programme of the Ballyfermot Early Years Language and Learning Initiative Dublin, Ireland, 28/08/2016-03/09/2016.
	2015	French, G. (2015) International ECEC policy event: Monitoring quality This one day conference included the launch of OECD international monitoring quality report: Starting Strong IV: Monitoring Quality in Early Childhood Education and Care, by Ms. Montserrat Gomendio, Deputy Director, Directorate for Education and Skills, OECD. Prof Edward Melhuish, Oxford University and Mr. Julius op de Beke, DG EMPL, European Commission also contributed to the event Dublin, 28/10/2015-28/10/2015.
	2014	French, G. (2014) OMEP International Conference 2014 Presentation on Let Them Talk”: Evaluation of Ballyfermot Early Years Language and Learning Initiative Cork, 02/07/2014-05/07/2014.

Published Report

	Year	Publication
	2023	French, G.; McKenna, G. (2023) Literature review to support the updating of Aistear, the early childhood curriculum framework. National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, . [Link]
	2022	French, G.; McKenna, G. (2022) Literature review to support the updating of Aistear the early childhood curriculum framework. National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, . [Link]
	2022	Shiel, G.; French, G.; Kennedy, E.; McCormack, M. (2022) Outcomes of the national literacy strategy in relation to DEIS in early childhood education, primary and post-primary. Report Commissioned by the Department of Education, .
	2022	French, G.; Lake, G. (2022) Pedagogical strategies to support oral language development and emergent literacy in early childhood education and care. Paper commissioned by the Department of Education, .
	2022	French, G.; Farrell, T.; McCormack, M.; Nic Mhuirí, S.; Shiel, C. (2022) Enabling community engagement to support literacy, digital literacy, and numeracy development for All children. Paper commissioned by the Department of Education, .
	2022	Nic Mhuirí, S.; Farrell, T.; French, G.; McCormack, M.; Shiel, C. (2022) Enabling family engagement to support literacy, digital literacy, and numeracy development for All children. Paper commissioned by the Department of Education, .
	2022	French, G. (2022) Supporting literacy and numeracy in early childhood for those at risk educational Inequality. Paper commissioned by the Department of Education, .
	2022	French, G.; Halligan, C. (2022) Chapter four: Well-being. Commissioned by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessmeny, . [Link]
	2022	King, F.; French., G.; Halligan, C. (2022) Professional Learning (PL): Principles and Practices. Paper commissioned by the Department of Education, .
	2022	French, G. (2022) Chapter three: Addressing the invisibility of babies and toddlers in the literature. Commissioned by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, . [Link]
	2022	French, G.; McKenna, G.; Giblin, F.; Concannon-Gibney, T.; Farrell, T.; Gillic, C.; Halligan, C.; Lake, G.; Ni Dhiorbhain, A.; Ni Laimhin, M.; O'Neill, S. (2022) Literature review to support the updating of Aistear, the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework. National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, . [Link]
	2019	French, G. (2019) Key elements of good practice to support the learning and development of children from birth to three. National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, . [Link]
	2006	French, G. & Shinman, S. (2006) Learning from families: Policies and practices to combat social exclusion amongst families with children under five. Transnational Report. Transnational Exchange Programme within the Community Action Programme to Combat Social Exclusion, European Commission (2002-2006). Home-Start International, .
	2006	French, G. (2006) Learning from families: Policies and practices to combat social exclusion amongst families with young children in Europe: Irish national report. Home-Start National Office, .
	2005	French, G. (2005) Valuing community playgroups: Lessons for policy and practice. Katharine Howard Foundation, .

Blog

	Year	Publication
	2018	French, G. (2018) A lot done. More to do. Dublin: BLOG [Link]

Commissioned Report

	Year	Publication
	2014	French, G. (2014) Let them talk: Evaluation of the Language Enrichment Programme of the Ballyfermot Early Years Language and Learning Initiative. Dublin: COMMREP
	2013	French, G. (2013) The place of the arts in early childhood learning and development. Early childhood arts: Three perspectives. Dublin: COMMREP
	2013	French, G. (2013) Early childhood policy and provision: A digest to inform a national book gifting programme. Dublin: COMMREP
	2013	French, G. (2013) The youngest ages can turn pages: Fingal county libraries’ early years literacy strategy. Dublin: COMMREP [Link]
	1998	French, G. (1998) Enhancing our future: A profile of parenting programmes in Ireland. Dublin: COMMREP

Research Paper

	Year	Publication
	2007	French, G. (2007) Children's early learning and development: Background paper to Aistear. Dublin: RP [Link]
	2007	French, G. (2007) Research digests. Dublin: RP

Manual

	Year	Publication
	2008	French, G. with Axford, N. (2008) Manual for delivery of the Early Childhood Care and Education Services, the Childhood Development Initiative (CDI). Dublin: MANUAL

Video recording / TV

	Year	Publication
	2015	French, G. (2015) Talking and reading with babies. VID [Link]

Committees

	Committee	Function	From / To
	Director on Board of An Cosán		31/01/2012 -
	Chair, Early Years Working Group, An Cosán		31/01/2013 -

Other Activities

	Description
	External Examiner to the Letterkenny Institute of Technology’s BSc in Early Childhood Care, Health and Education from 2013-2017
	External Examiner to the Waterford Institute of Technology’s BA in Early Childhood Studies from 2012 – 15
	External Examiner to the Dundalk Institute of Technology from 2018-2020

Enterprise Engagement

Year	Engagement Type	Client	Description
2022	Invited talk/presentation	Portobella Institute	Presentation on Supporting Language and Literacy Development
2022	Invited talk/presentation	EUN Partnership: EU commission	Presentation on Perspectives on a Slow Relational Pedagogy with Babies and Toddlers.
2021	Other	Early Childhood Ireland	Invited Podcast: Children under 2
2020	Other	Sweetpea productions	Invited Podcast: The importance of relationships for very young children
2019	Continuous Professional Development/Training	Better Start/ Pobal	Using film recording and feedback to support all children’s participation in early childhood settings.
2019	Invited talk/presentation	Tusla: Child and Family Agency	Presentation on responsive practice with babies
2019	Invited talk/presentation	National Council for Curriculum and Assessment	Presentation to the Board of Primary and Early Childhood Education on the Key elements of good practice to support the learning and development of children from birth to three.
2019	Invited talk/presentation	National Childhood Network	Keynote at the National Policy and Practice conference entitled The time of their lives.
2019	Invited talk/presentation	Waterford Quality Collaborative	Keynote on The time of Their Lives: Nurturing Babies' Learning and development and workshop on Responsive Practice.
2018	Invited talk/presentation	National Council for Curriculum and Assessment	Talk to Primary and Post Primary officials on ‘It begins at the beginning’: Continuity in learning from birth
2018	Continuous Professional Development/Training	Monaghan County Childcare Committee	Enabling collaborative behaviour with young children. This session engages staff in early childhood settings with strategies to support settings to understand children’s behaviour offers strategies for responsive practice.
2018	Invited talk/presentation	Better Start/ Pobal	Responsive Practice with Babies; Ensuring Specialised Relational Pedagogy. to the staff of Better Start, at their Annual Conference
2017	Invited talk/presentation	National Council for Curriculum and Assessment	Presentation to the National Aistear Síolta Initiative pilot group on Emergent and inquiry-based curriculum for under 3’s
2017	Continuous Professional Development/Training	National Council for Curriculum and Assessment	Input to the induction of mentors for the Síolta Aistear Initiative on an emergent and enquiry based curriculum for babies
2016	Continuous Professional Development/Training	Better Start	Using film recording and feedback in early years settings to support children’s participation in early childhood settings - Induction to newly appointed AIM co-ordinators.
2016	Continuous Professional Development/Training	Mayo County Childcare Committee and Health Services Executive	Early Years Inclusive Day, full day conference.
2015	Continuous Professional Development/Training	Better Start	Day long event on Using film recording and feedback in early years settings as part of the mentoring process. to the newly appointed mentors.
2015	Continuous Professional Development/Training	Department Education and Skills	Input to the induction of of Early Years Inspectors, Department of Education and Skills. Presentation on ‘Pedagogy in Early Education’, DES offices, Marlborough St.
2015	Continuous Professional Development/Training	Better Start	Induction for new mentors in Better Start, Presentation on Quality in ECE

Outreach Activities

	Year	Engagement Type	Organisation	Description
	2023	Educational Outreach/Public Engagement	An Cosan	Director, Board of An Cosán, and Chair of the Early Years Working Group
	2023	DCU in the Community	DCU	Talks on early learning and development

Research Interests

Professional practice in early childhood settings, particularly adult child interactions in settings that support children at risk of educational inequality; the use of film-stimulated reflective dialogues to enhance professional practice; early language, literacy and numeracy learning and development; learning through play; conflict resolution among young children; curriculum approaches, implementation of policy and programmes in early childhood, children from birth to three years of age.

Research Projects

Title	Role	Description	Start date	End date
A literature review to support the updating of the Literacy (including Digital literacy) and Numeracy Strategy	Researcher and member of Steering Group	Involvement in six reviews of systematic reviews on the topics of early language and literacy and numeracy in areas of educational inequality.	15/04/2021	23/05/2022
A literature review to support the updating of Aistear, the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework (NCCA, 2009)	DCU Co-PI	The literature review focusses on Aistear's four Themes: Well-being, Communicating, Identity and Belonging, and Exploring and Thinking.	17/11/2022	17/11/2023
Toy to Share, Play to Care, Impact Evaluation	Researcher		29/01/2019	02/02/2020

Current Postgraduate Students

	Student Name	Degree	Supervision
	O'Reilly ,Nicola	PhD-track	Supervisor

Teaching Interests

Early childhood education generally, curriculum in ECE, quality in ECE, professional practice in ECE, pedagogical interactions in ECE, video-stimulated reflective practice in ECE, slow relational pedagogy

Modules Coordinated

Term	Title	Subject
2020	Curriculum and Planning in ECE	EC205
2022	Professional Practice 4	EC408
2022	National Frameworks for ECE (Ireland)	EC104
2021	Wellbeing, Health and Nutrition 2 - Toddlers	EC108
2022	Wellbeing, Health and Nutrition 1 - Babies	EC105
2022	Contemporary Curriculum & Planning Approaches	EC208
2022	Dissertation 2 and Research Tutorials	EC407
2022	Partnership in Early Childhood Education	EC401
2020	Outdoor Learning	EC204
2020	Assessing Early Learning and Development	EC304